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Committee considers expanding who can offer evidence in dependent‑neglect cases
Summary
SB 249 would allow certain nonparent caregivers who have provided care to a child to offer evidence in dependent‑neglect adjudications; proponents argued it improves stability for children while a county attorney warned it could complicate proceedings and intrude on parental rights.
Sen. Dennis Lenz presented Senate Bill 249, which would revise child abuse and neglect adjudication rules to broaden who may offer evidence in dependent‑neglect (DN) cases. The sponsor said the change aims to remove outdated language that can exclude people with relevant caregiving histories from court consideration.
Kyla Hailstone, a paralegal investigator and family law specialist, told the committee SB 249 would let the court consider evidence about the…
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