HB 24-1120

House Bill 24-1120, also known as "Resources for Persons in Child Welfare System," ensures that individuals accused of child abuse or neglect receive fair treatment. The bill mandates that county departments must notify these individuals within two weeks about their right to a hearing and provide them with detailed information on how to appeal the decision, obtain records related to the case, and access legal support. If an individual requests a hearing, it must be scheduled by an administrative law judge within four months. Since this bill has been signed into law, people affected by child welfare investigations now have clearer rights and procedures for challenging findings of abuse or neglect.

Official Summary

The bill requires that prior to adding a person found responsible for child abuse or neglect (person) to the automated child welfare system (system), a county department of human or social services must provide, within 14 days, a written notice to the person of the opportunity for a hearing to appeal the finding. The written notice must include, among other things: Information about the factual history of the case and detailed information about the appeals process; Information about how the person may obtain, at no cost to the person, a complete copy of the record that will be added to the system, subject to redactions required by law; Information about how the person may request a complete copy of the law enforcement record, if any, of the alleged incident of child abuse or neglect; Information about the office of the child protection ombudsman; and Information about the office of the respondent parents' counsel. When a hearing is requested, the bill requires an administrative law judge to contact the parties to schedule the hearing, which must take place no later than 120 days after the date the person requests a hearing. The bill describes the rights accorded to the person. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

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