- Introduced -

SB 602 - This act requires the Division of Family Services to make child abuse investigation records available to two additional groups of people. Currently, Section 210.150 limits record disclosure to specific persons. This act includes the following to those who may access investigation records:

1. Any member of the press when such person is inquiring about a specific child and when such person produces the child's name; and

2. Any person who has temporary supervision over a specific child or who provides care or has custody of a specific child if such person produces the child's name.

A new Section 210.151 is also added to waive the Division's sovereign immunity in cases where death or serious injury has resulted due to the negligent supervision of employees handling child abuse cases. This will apply when an individual case has been reported on at least two separate occasions.

ERIN MOTLEY