Senate committee hears wide opposition to bill requiring law‑enforcement reports be appended to child‑abuse affidavits

Senate Public Health on Feb. 5 heard opponents warn that Senate Bill 231, which would require the Department of Public Health and Human Services to append available law‑enforcement reports and related investigative materials to affidavits in child abuse and neglect proceedings, could jeopardize criminal investigations, victim safety and accreditation of child‑advocacy services.

Supporters of the bill, led by sponsor Senator Emmerich, said the measure aims to “bring a little bit of balance to the department’s affidavits” by ensuring court filings include the disposition of prior criminal cases and verified, accurate information. The bill would require that an affidavit “include court records indicating file disposition of any criminal case filed as a result of allegations of abuse or neglect,” and “include all information evidence that tends to contradict, disprove, or otherwise not support allegations,” the sponsor told the…