Bill > HB2075

This bill modifies Kansas law regarding child protective services and law enforcement interactions with children in potentially dangerous situations. It expands the circumstances under which law enforcement officers may take a child into custody, including when a child is a runaway, missing person, or victim of human trafficking. The bill requires the secretary of children and families to provide an electronic method for law enforcement to refer potential child abuse or neglect cases, and mandates that the secretary respond to such referrals within 24 hours by initiating an investigation and contacting the subjects. Additionally, the bill changes permanency hearing requirements, reducing the initial hearing timeframe from 12 to 9 months after a child's removal from their home and subsequent hearings from 12 to 6 months. The bill also introduces new requirements for court reviews, including examining each party's participation in permanency planning, ensuring parties receive copies of plans, and documenting efforts to help children prepare for successful adulthood. These changes aim to improve child welfare processes by providing more timely interventions, better communication between law enforcement and child welfare agencies, and more frequent court oversight of children in state custody.

Health and Social Services

Child Welfare and Foster Care (H)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2075/