Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Child Welfare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate adopts targeted exemption to child‑abuse definition for parents unable to access treatment
Summary
House File 2256 (as amended by Senate Amendment 5120) creates a narrow exemption so parents who have made reasonable efforts but cannot access appropriate behavioral or mental‑health treatment for their child are not placed on the child‑abuse registry solely for that reason; the amendment was adopted and the bill passed 47‑0.
Senator Alans described House File 2256 and the Senate Health and Human Services committee amendment (Senate Amendment 5120) as a targeted fix to avoid parents being placed on the child‑abuse registry solely because they could not access necessary treatment for a child's behavioral or mental‑health needs.
"Parents who make every reasonable effort but still cannot access treatment will no longer be placed on the child registry solely for that reason," Senator Alans said, adding that the amendment retains HHS's ability to assess other factors and fully protect child safety. Senator Petersen, speaking from the subcommittee perspective, said he preferred the original bill but acknowledged the amendment is intended to address the problem raised by affected families.
The Senate adopted the amendment, read the bill for final passage and recorded 47 ayes and 0 nays.
