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Senate orders third reading of H661 to tighten child protection registry standards
Summary
H661 would raise the evidentiary standard for substantiations to a preponderance of evidence, expand notice and appeal windows, add expungement procedures and require reports on secure storage of recorded interviews; sponsor said the changes aim to reduce wrongful placements on the Child Protection Registry.
The Vermont Senate ordered third reading of H661 on a voice vote after a lengthy floor explanation by the bill sponsor, who said the measure tightens standards and administrative procedures used by the Department for Children and Families (DCF) in child abuse and neglect investigations. The bill would move Vermont from a "reasonable person" standard to a preponderance-of-evidence standard for substantiation decisions and adds clearer notice, review, and expungement processes.
Senator from Addison, presenting the bill, said the changes are intended to make investigations "accurate, fair, and sufficiently serious to warrant placement on…
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