CPS CONFIDENTIAL RECORDS H.B. 6184 (H-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 6184 (Substitute H-2 as reported without amendment) Sponsor: Representative Jack Horton
House Committee: Human Services
Senate Committee: Families, Mental Health and Human Services
The bill would amend the Child Protection Law to prescribe procedures for the release of specified information from reports of suspected child abuse and neglect (child protective service records) that the Family Independence Agency (FIA) is required to maintain in a central registry. The bill states that it could not be construed to subject a record that was confidential under the Act to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. “Specified information” would mean the information in a child protective service record that related specifically to all referrals or reports of alleged or substantiated report of child abuse or neglect. It would not include any of the following:
-- Personal identification information for an individual identified in the record except for the perpetrator of the child abuse or neglect, including identification of a reporting person. Personal identification information for an individual alleged to have perpetrated child abuse or neglect, however, could not be released if the allegation had not been substantiated.
-- Information in a law enforcement report.
-- Any other information that was specifically designated as confidential under other law.
MCL 722.627 et al. Legislative Analyst: L. Burghardt
The bill would have a indeterminate fiscal impact on the Family Independence Agency. Increasing the categories of individuals or organizations to whom confidential material may be released could increase the number of personnel hours needed to fill such requests. However, the bill also would permit the FIA to charge a copying service fee, which could offset some of the additional cost.
Date Completed: 12-9-96 Fiscal Analyst: C. Cole
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.