Resources and information about confidentiality and openness in court cases involving child abuse and neglect, including State and local examples.
Confidentiality and Juvenile Mental Health Records in Dependency Proceedings
Katner (2004)
In Representing Children, Families, and Agencies in Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Custody, and Adoption Proceedings
View Abstract
Discusses the disclosure of children's mental health records in dependency proceedings and the need to ensure greater confidentiality to protect victims of abuse and neglect.
Confidentiality Statutes of Child Protection Proceedings by State (PDF - 132 KB)
Review of State confidentiality statutes for child protection proceedings.
Mythbusting: Breaking Down Confidentiality and Decision-Making Barriers to Meet the Education Needs of Children in Foster Care (PDF - 2,157 KB)
McNaught (2006)
Answers common questions about confidentiality and decision-making barriers related to meeting the education needs of children in foster care.
Public Access to Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings (PDF - 396 KB)
Farlay (2003)
Provides information on the impact of a Policy Inquiry Question issued by the Children's Bureau about public access to child abuse and neglect proceedings.
State and local examples
Open Child Protection Proceedings in Minnesota
Schellhas
William Mitchell Law Review, 26, 2000
View Abstract
Review of Minnesota's permanency planning amendments in terms of their effect on child protection; argues for open public and media access to juvenile court proceedings.
Should You Share?: A Primer on Information Sharing
Agatston (2003)
View Abstract
Describes considerations for releasing information requested by litigants in court proceedings in Georgia.
Who Should Hold the Key? An Analysis of Access and Confidentiality in Juvenile Dependency Courts (PDF - 607 KB)
Flint (2006)
Considers issues related to confidentiality by comparing the closed dependency court system of California with the open systems of Florida and Oregon.