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Committee advances bill that would allow charges for knowingly false child-welfare reports to DCFS
Summary
The Senate Health and Human Services Standing Committee voted to pass HB 33, allowing DCFS to refer persons who knowingly file false child-abuse or neglect reports to law enforcement, with a class B misdemeanor penalty available.
The Senate Health and Human Services Standing Committee on [date] voted to give HB 33, the child-welfare reporting amendments, a favorable recommendation.
The bill, introduced by a representative sponsoring the measure, would permit the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) to refer persons who knowingly make false reports of child abuse or neglect to law enforcement; under the proposal a person could be charged with a class B misdemeanor if DCFS investigates and finds the report was knowingly false. The sponsor told the committee that anonymous and repeated reports have been “weaponized” against families and described caseworkers as often able to identify repeat false reporters.
Committee members pressed for clarity about who would be notified when a report is found to be false. Senator Stratton asked whether the alleged reporter would receive notice; the sponsor said DCFS would send a letter to the person found to have filed a false report and that caseworkers typically know who the repeat reporters are. Senator Stratton suggested strengthening notice to ensure the person who was the subject of the report also receives the determination; the sponsor said caseworkers often notify families and that the committee could consider statutory language to strengthen notice.
In public comment, Gail Rezeka of Utah Eagle Forum described a recent case in which a young family said an anonymous report led to repeated DCFS visits, court appearances and roughly $50,000 in legal costs before the case was dropped. Rezeka urged committee members to support the bill.
Senator Shatten moved approval. The committee voted unanimously to pass HB 33 out of committee with a favorable recommendation.
Supporters said the bill seeks to deter intentional misuse of DCFS reporting and to give law enforcement an enforcement route when DCFS determines a report was knowingly false. The sponsor and members said the measure does not change DCFS’s obligation to investigate reports.
The bill next goes to the full chamber for further consideration.
