Bill

Bill > A502


NJ A502

NJ A502
Authorizes disclosure by DCF of child abuse and neglect information to religious institutions.


summary

Introduced
01/14/2020
In Committee
01/14/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/11/2022

Introduced Session

2020-2021 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill would authorize the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to disclose to religious institutions information on child abuse or neglect allegations involving a prospective or current employee who will provide instruction or other services to children. Current law specifies the circumstances under which DCF is authorized to disclose to certain entities records and reports of child abuse, information obtained by DCF in investigating such reports, and reports of findings that are forwarded to the State child abuse registry. Religious institutions are not included among the entities to which DCF is permitted to disclose this information, as was recently noted in an opinion of the Appellate Division of the Superior Court, decided April 5, 2013, in New Jersey Div. of Youth & Family Servs. v. P.H. and J.C., 2013 N.J. Super. LEXIS 52.

AI Summary

This bill authorizes the Division of Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to disclose to religious institutions information on child abuse or neglect allegations involving a prospective or current employee who will provide instruction or other services to children. Current law allows DCF to disclose such information to certain entities, but religious institutions were not previously included. This change was prompted by a recent court decision that noted the omission of religious institutions from the list of authorized recipients. The bill aims to enable religious institutions to access this information in order to make informed decisions about hiring individuals who will work with children.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Women and Children Committee (on 01/14/2020)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...