The bill amends various sections of the Revised Code to enhance parents' rights and support in child welfare cases. Key provisions include a requirement for courts to ensure that parents, guardians, or custodians receive essential information about their rights and the case plan for their child. It allows these individuals to select a support person for meetings regarding their child's welfare and mandates the Department of Children and Youth to create a "parents' bill of rights" pamphlet that clearly outlines their rights and available resources. The bill also emphasizes the need for public children services agencies to make reasonable efforts to prevent child removal and facilitate safe returns, including providing a plain language statement of services offered to families.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for public children services agencies regarding the reporting of child abuse and neglect. It mandates that individuals who suspect abuse or neglect must report their concerns to the appropriate authorities and clarifies the reporting obligations of certain professionals. The bill also requires agencies to inform individuals under investigation of the specific allegations against them and to provide written notice to parents or guardians within twenty-four hours of a child's custody, including details about the allegations and a parents' bill of rights pamphlet. Furthermore, it establishes protections for the confidentiality of reporters and immunity from liability for good faith reporting, while repealing several existing sections of the Revised Code to modernize the legal framework governing child welfare.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2151.314, 2151.419, 2151.4116, 2151.421