Researcher: ST Page 1 3/20/25
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6186
AN ACT CONCERNING MEDICAL RECORDS PERTAINING TO
PRENATAL CARE AND MANDATED REPORTS.
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse or
neglect from including the mother’s prenatal care-related medical
records in the report. (It is unclear whether mandated reporters would
be able to, or required to, report abuse or neglect of another of their
patient’s children if they were alerted to that abuse or neglect in the
context of prenatal care.)
Under existing law, reports of mandated reporters of child abuse or
neglect must include, among other things and if known, (1) the child’s
name, age, gender, and address; (2) the name(s) and address(es) of the
child’s parent(s) or guardian(s); (3) details on the suspected injuries,
maltreatment, or neglect; and (4) what actions were taken to assist the
child.
The law, unchanged by the bill, generally gives civil and criminal
liability protection to a mandated reporter who provides, in good faith,
professional medical intervention or assistance in a child abuse or
neglect proceeding, including disclosing relevant medical records or
other information (CGS § 17a-101e).
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2025
BACKGROUND
Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse or Neglect
By law, people in specified professions or occupations that have
contact with children or whose primary focus is children are required to
report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Children
and Families (DCF) or a law enforcement agency. 2025HB-06186-R000155-BA.DOCX
Researcher: ST Page 2 3/20/25
A mandated reporter must file a report when, in the ordinary course
of their employment or profession, they have reasonable cause to
suspect that a child (1) has been abused or neglected, (2) is placed in
imminent risk of serious harm, or (3) suffered a nonaccidental physical
injury or injury that varies from its given history. These reports must be
filed as soon as practicable but no later than 12 hours after they have
reasonable cause to make the report (and for oral reports, they must
follow up with a written report to DCF within 48 hours).
Mandated Reporters Caring for High-Risk Newborns
Under existing law, certain licensed healthcare providers (e.g.,
physicians, physician assistants, and nurse midwives) involved in the
delivery or care of a newborn who exhibits physical, neurological, or
behavioral symptoms consistent with prenatal substance exposure,
associated withdrawal symptoms, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
must notify DCF of the newborn’s condition in addition to any other
applicable reporting requirements (CGS § 17a-102a).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Committee on Children
Joint Favorable
Yea 17 Nay 0 (03/06/2025)