Survivors press committee to require DCS to investigate credible abuse reports even when a 'protective' parent exists; HB 4004 given due‑pass

House Bill 4,004 received extended testimony and a due‑pass recommendation from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee after several witnesses described cases where DCS labeled allegations "custody conflict" or "unsubstantiated" and, in their accounts, children stayed in harmful situations.

Staff summarized the bill as requiring DCS to initiate investigations and protective action upon receipt of a credible report of abuse or neglect through the hotline even if one parent is a protective parent; it would allow DCS to begin immediate investigations, develop safety plans, provide services and recommend temporary modifications to parenting time where there is credible risk.

Multiple witnesses told painful stories. Mary Dalton described long experience with DCS failures after police and counselors reported violence involving her children; she said the case remained unsubstantiated and later a jury convicted the abuser. Rachel Cardona Barnett recounted that reports of abuse to DCS were initially uninvestigated and later her children were removed and placed with the accused abuser, with long legal fights to restore custody. Kendra Durfield described DCS closing a case despite a disclosure of abuse and said family court relied on that DCS finding.

Supporters urged passage to ensure DCS does not defer investigations simply because a protective parent exists; sponsors indicated they would continue to refine the bill language. The committee recorded a due‑pass recommendation and several members asked for amendments to address concerns before floor consideration.