Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2207

Introduced

2/3/25

Refer

2/3/25

Caption

Authorizing parents of a child who is the subject of an investigation of abuse or neglect or a child in need of care proceeding and victims of childhood abuse or neglect to access records related to such investigation or proceeding.

Impact

The adoption of HB2207 is expected to have significant implications on how a child's records in abuse or neglect cases are managed. By permitting greater access to information, the bill promotes accountability among social services and law enforcement agencies. This could lead to improved outcomes for children in need of care and their families, as parents and victims are better equipped to advocate for necessary interventions and services. Furthermore, the legislation may also encourage better communication between involved parties, potentially leading to more collaborative approaches in child welfare cases.

Summary

House Bill 2207 aims to amend the current statutes regarding access to records involving children who are subjects of abuse or neglect investigations. The bill specifically allows parents to access records related to their child's situation, ensuring they can obtain necessary documentation during proceedings. Additionally, it extends this right to victims of childhood abuse or neglect, empowering them to review substantiated reports or investigations affecting their lives. This approach is designed to enhance transparency within child welfare processes, and foster informed decision-making for parents and survivors.

Contention

While supporters argue that the bill is a crucial step towards transparency and accountability in child welfare, there may be concerns regarding privacy and confidentiality. Opponents might worry that increased access to sensitive information could adversely affect ongoing investigations or the safety of involved individuals, particularly children. Balancing the rights of parents and child victims to access information with the need to protect the privacy and safety of children remains a contentious aspect of this legislation.

Latest HB2207 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

KS SB236

Authorizing victims of childhood abuse or neglect to access records related to substantiated reports or investigations of abuse or neglect.

KS HB2093

Authorizing victims of childhood abuse to access records related to substantiated reports or investigations of abuse or neglect and extending the time to file civil actions for recovery of damages caused by childhood sexual abuse.

KS HB2175

Requiring the secretary for children and families to notify the parent of a child who is the subject of an investigation of abuse or neglect of such parent's rights during such investigation and to complete a written report upon closing such an investigation, providing for an agreement between the parent of a child and the secretary if such child is removed from the home during an investigation of abuse or neglect and a parent to withhold certain information except when otherwise ordered by a court.

KS HB2134

Amending the Kansas open records act by limiting certain charges for furnishing records and employee time required to make records available and exempting certain records from disclosure and amending the Kansas open meetings act by providing for the membership calculation of subordinate groups and requiring public bodies or agencies that live stream meetings to ensure that the public is able to observe.

KS SB70

Prohibiting fees for electronic copies of records under the open records act, exempting from disclosure formally closed investigations with no found violations, requiring county or district attorneys to file reports of violations with the attorney general in October instead of January, determining the membership calculation of subordinate groups under the open meetings act, requiring public bodies or agencies that live stream meetings to ensure that the public is able to observe and providing for a five minute deviation to resume an open meeting at the conclusion of executive sessions.