This bill amends the Child Protection and Family Safety Act to enhance the reporting and handling of child abuse or neglect cases involving military families. It introduces new definitions, including "member of a military family," which encompasses individuals serving active duty in the armed forces and their dependents. The bill mandates that upon receiving a report of child abuse or neglect involving a military family member, the Department of Health and Human Services must notify the appropriate military authorities and family advocacy programs if the report is not deemed unfounded. Additionally, the department is required to establish a memorandum of understanding with military family advocacy programs to outline reporting procedures and maintain confidentiality.

The bill also updates existing provisions regarding notifications following investigations of child abuse or neglect. Specifically, if the subject of a report is a member of a military family, the department must send written notice of the investigation's outcome to the relevant military authorities and advocacy programs. Furthermore, it expands the list of entities with access to child protection case information to include military authorities and family advocacy programs, ensuring they are informed and can provide necessary support in these cases. The original sections of the law being amended are repealed, streamlining the legal framework surrounding child protection for military families.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 28-710, 28-713.01, 28-726