In general, existing law provides that information maintained by an agency which provides child welfare services, including reports and investigations concerning the abuse or neglect of a child, is confidential and must not be released or disseminated unless an exception applies. One such exception authorizes the release or dissemination of such information pursuant to a criminal prosecution relating to the abuse or neglect of a child. (NRS 432B.280) Section 1 of this bill defines “abuse or neglect” for purposes of this exception to have the meaning ascribed to it in existing criminal law concerning the abuse, neglect or endangerment of a child. (NRS 200.508)
Existing law additionally authorizes an agency which provides child welfare services to disclose information maintained by the agency to certain persons and entities under certain circumstances. (NRS 432B.290) Section 2 of this bill limits such disclosure to the information reasonably necessary for the purposes for which the person or entity is authorized to receive the information. Existing law authorizes certain information to be disclosed to a parent or legal guardian of a child and to persons who are the subject of a report. (NRS 432B.290) Section 2 expands the information that may be disclosed to a parent or legal guardian who is not alleged to have caused the abuse or neglect to include information concerning the nature of the reported abuse or neglect and any safety issues concerning the child. Section 2 also clarifies that persons who are the subject of a report include a person who, as a child, was the subject of the report and has since reached 18 years of age. Finally, section 2 makes various nonsubstantive changes to reorganize provisions relating to the disclosure of information in connection with certain guardianship proceedings.

Statutes affected:
BDR: 432B.280, 432B.290