Committee approves "Ridge's Law" to require second-opinion option in suspected child-abuse medical cases

Senator Perez presented LC520821S, a measure modeled on a Texas "second chance" law that the committee approved after public testimony from parents and attorneys who described lengthy separations and difficult court fights following suspected child-abuse determinations.

The bill would require physicians who place a child into temporary protective custody on suspicion of abuse to advise the parent, guardian or legal custodian of the right to obtain an independent medical evaluation or specialty consultation. It requires disclosure of the medical basis for the suspected abuse determination, defines the relevant specialty consultation to include pediatric specialties (including child-abuse pediatrics), and permits an independent evaluation at the parent's expense unless prohibited by court order. The bill also calls for cooperation by child-welfare agencies, law enforcement and medical professionals to facilitate such evaluations and includes a provision…