Kansas Senate Bill SB181

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/23
• Refer: 2/8/23
• Failed: 4/30/24

Caption

Authorizing establishment of city or county child death review boards and permitting disclosure of records and information related to child deaths.

Impact

The bill introduces a significant legislative shift aiming to improve accountability in cases of child deaths by forming local review boards. These boards are expected to provide informed recommendations that can help address potential public health and safety issues. One of the key effects of SB181 is the establishment of confidentiality norms surrounding the information these boards handle, which protects the privacy of families involved while ensuring that data analysis can inform systemic changes to child welfare policies.

Summary

Senate Bill 181 focuses on the establishment of city and county child death review boards in Kansas, allowing for local entities to review child deaths occurring within their jurisdiction. The intent of this bill is to enhance oversight and support for child welfare by enabling detailed examinations of circumstances surrounding child fatalities. These local review boards will have access to a range of sensitive records, including law enforcement investigations, medical records, and social service documents pertinent to the child and their family.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding the bill primarily involve the balance between transparency and confidentiality. While supporters advocate that local boards will lead to better outcomes in child welfare through focused attention and community engagement, critics are concerned that the strict confidentiality provisions might impede necessary transparency in cases of suspected abuse or prevent important insights from being shared with the public or relevant authorities. Furthermore, as the bill establishes a review process that could lead to recommendations affecting broader child welfare laws, there are debates about how those recommendations will be implemented and the potential bureaucratic complexities that may arise.

Implementation

Should SB181 pass, it will require the establishment of protocols for operation within the state review board and participating localities, broadening the scope of child welfare oversight in Kansas. Local governing bodies will need to create ordinances in line with the new regulations, ensuring that the necessary frameworks for child death investigations are established. Importantly, these changes must be assessed periodically, as specific provisions in the bill include a sunset clause set for review by July 2028, which mandates legislative oversight on its continued viability.