Committee hears bill to shorten DCYF retention of unfounded abuse reports from 10 to 3 years

Chairman James Spillane opened a Feb. 11 hearing on House Bill 430, a proposal to shorten the retention period for DCYF records of unfounded abuse and neglect reports. The bill as presented would reduce the period for records labeled “unfounded” from 10 years to 3 years; screened-out reports would remain at the current 4-year retention period.

Supporters framed the change as relief for families that say an unfounded report can hang over them for years. Representative Greg told the committee a long retention period can feel like “a sword of Damocles” for families who were never found responsible for abuse. “Three years gives the chance that it can go away before another report is falsely made against a family,” he said.

The Office…