HB 1234: Access to Records of Child Abuse or Neglect

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The act prohibits a person who possesses a record or report (record) of child abuse or neglect from releasing identifying data or information contained in the record to a person who is not authorized to receive the information or data.     The act clarifies what constitutes identifying data in a record. The act adds an assigned designee of a person named in a record who is acting on the person's behalf as a person who may have access to child abuse or neglect records if the assigned designee presents a valid release of information signed by an authorized person.     The act allows a person named in a record as an alleged abused or neglected child who is in possession of a record in which they are named or, with the person's consent, the person's attorney or guardian ad litem, to disclose and make use of the record, including for the purpose of litigation or to obtain treatment or services. Except as expressly authorized in law, a criminal defendant may only access a record after an in camera review by the court in which the court finds that access to the record is necessary for the resolution of an issue.     The act requires each county department of human or social services to establish and submit to the state department of human services a process current and former clients may use to obtain access to their case records.     The act repeals the penalties associated with a person who improperly releases or willfully permits or encourages the release of data or information contained in the records to a person not permitted to access the information and makes it a petty offense for the department of education or a school district, charter school, or nonpublic school to release data or information contained in a record to a person not permitted to access the information.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 40 · Republican 5

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 4, 2026Governor Signed
2. April 23, 2026Sent to the Governor
3. April 22, 2026Signed by the Speaker of the House
4. April 22, 2026Signed by the President of the Senate
5. April 6, 2026Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
6. April 2, 2026Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments
7. March 30, 2026Senate Committee on Judiciary Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
8. March 26, 2026Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Judiciary
9. March 23, 2026House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
10. March 20, 2026House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
11. March 18, 2026House Committee on Judiciary Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
12. February 18, 2026Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary