SESSION OF 2021
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2127
As Amended by House Committee on Judiciary

Brief*
HB 2127, as amended, would modify the law governing
access to confidential information regarding children alleged
or adjudicated to be in need of care, by requiring the
Secretary for Children and Families (Secretary) to release
certain information to the public, in response to an open
records request and within seven business days of receipt of
such request, if criminal charges related to a child fatality
involving an allegation of child abuse or neglect are filed
against a person.
[Note: Continuing law requires release of the same
information in response to an open records request if child
abuse or neglect results in a child fatality. The required
information includes age and sex of the child, date of fatality,
a summary of previous reports of abuse or neglect received
by the Secretary involving the child, along with the findings of
such reports, and department-recommended services
provided to the child.]

Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Judiciary at the request of a representative of the Department
for Children and Families (DCF).


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*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org
House Committee on Judiciary
In the House Committee hearing on February 1, 2021,
the Secretary testified as a proponent of the bill, stating the
bill would ensure DCF is able to release publicly relevant
information consistent with criminal justice system releases.
Written-only proponent testimony was submitted by
representatives of Children’s Alliance of Kansas and
FosterAdopt Connect.
No neutral or opponent testimony was provided.
The House Committee amended the bill to clarify the
circumstances requiring release of the information.
Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, DCF and the Office of
Judicial Administration indicate enactment of the bill would
have no fiscal effect on DCF or the Judiciary, respectively.
Release of information; Department for Children and Families; abuse or neglect;
child fatality


2- 2127


Statutes affected:
As introduced: 38-2212
As Amended by House Committee: 38-2212