Bill > HB242

This bill amends Kentucky law (KRS 620.050) to allow identified persons, agencies, or organizations to access confidential information related to child dependency, neglect, and abuse reports for bona fide research, quality improvement, or evaluation projects. The bill establishes strict criteria for such data sharing, including requiring a data-use agreement with the cabinet, compliance with data security and privacy conditions, and a prohibition on redisclosing confidential information. Researchers may not receive personally identifiable information except in essential cases, and any published results must protect the confidentiality of the original data. The cabinet retains discretion to decline data sharing if a project lacks sufficient merit, value, or presents unacceptable risks. The primary goals of this data sharing are to advance human knowledge, comply with federal requirements, and facilitate future planning for programs that support families, serve maltreated children, and inform policy development. This change aims to balance the need for protecting children's privacy with the potential benefits of research and improvement in child welfare systems.

Health and Social Services

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25RS/hb242.html