Disclosure of Confidential Child Abuse and Neglect Records

Series Title: State Statutes

Author(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway

Year Published: 2017

Current Through: June 2017

To access the statutes for a specific State or territory, visit the State Statutes Search.

(PDF - 773 KB)

This publication presents an overview of state laws that designate the officials and entities that may have access to the confidential records of child abuse and neglect reports and investigations, the circumstances under which information may be disclosed, and the appropriate use of confidential information. Public disclosure of information in cases of child abuse-related fatalities or near fatalities also is addressed. Summaries of laws related to these issues for all states and U.S. territories are included.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Confidentiality of records

Persons or entities allowed access to records

When public disclosure of records Is allowed

Use of records for employment screening

Summaries of state laws

We also recommend the following Information Gateway publications:

Establishment and Maintenance of Central Registries for Child Abuse Reports
(State Statutes)
Background Checks for Prospective Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Caregivers
(State Statutes)
Making and Screening Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect
(State Statutes)

Suggested Citation: Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2017). Disclosure of confidential child abuse and neglect records. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau.

This publication is a product of the State Statutes Series prepared by Child Welfare Information Gateway. While every attempt has been made to be as complete as possible, additional information on these topics may be in other sections of a State's code as well as agency regulations, case law, and informal practices and procedures.

This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway.