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Committee hears bill to codify conduct rules for child‑protection specialists; DPHHS, union urge no action
Summary
Senate Bill 272 would specify prohibited conduct for child‑protection specialists. Supporters said narrow rules are needed after cases where families alleged coercion; opponents including DPHHS and a public‑employees union said existing policies, complaint processes and statutes already address the concerns.
Sen. Daniel Emerich opened the committee hearing on Senate Bill 272 by describing the measure as a short, targeted statute meant to prohibit certain conduct by child protection specialists.
“It just puts a few guidelines for child protection specialists on things that they should not be doing,” Sen. Daniel Emerich said as he introduced the bill.
The bill would make explicit several behaviors that, if proven, would qualify as misconduct: threatening to file criminal charges to deter a person from contesting a child‑abuse and neglect action; taking steps that prevent a person from becoming a foster parent or guardian because that person opposed the department’s position or assisted a parent in obtaining counsel; and related prohibitions. The bill also references the ombudsman complaint process as an…
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