Committee advances bill allowing DPH to share parentage acknowledgments with DCF to help children access services
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Summary
HB 5268 would authorize the Department of Public Health to release acknowledgments of parentage and birth‑certificate information to the Department of Children and Families. Supporters said the change would close a paperwork gap that prevents children in care from accessing benefits; the committee moved the bill forward and recorded votes held open.
The committee considered HB 5268, which would allow the Department of Public Health to release acknowledgments of parentage and related vital records to the Department of Children and Families to support child‑welfare services.
Representative Paris explained that DPH holds vital records including acknowledgments of parentage and birth certificates and that current rules limit sharing when DCF needs the information for child‑welfare purposes. "So this bill explicitly authorizes [DPH]... to provide the data to DCF when necessary," Paris said, adding that without those records, children in care often lack documents needed to access health insurance, Social Security benefits, public assistance and school services.
Members asked clarifying questions about the problem cited by public defenders and whether routine access by parents to birth certificates differs from DCF needs. Sponsors said the bill closes a documented gap so children in the system can obtain necessary legal documentation. The committee voted to JF to the floor; roll‑call votes were recorded and held open until the public hearing.
