Bill > LD1922

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to seal certain child protection records to help alleviate barriers to employment for families involved in child protective activities. The bill defines "sealing records" as making records inaccessible to the public while retaining them for internal governmental purposes. It establishes specific guidelines for sealing different types of child protection records: unsubstantiated or indicated reports will be sealed immediately, and substantiated reports will be sealed after 3-5 years, depending on whether the child was removed from the home. However, the bill specifies that records cannot be sealed in cases involving child fatalities, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or serious physical injuries (which are comprehensively defined to include broken bones, severe burns, head injuries, and injuries creating substantial risk of death or long-term health impairment). The bill includes an emergency clause, meaning it will take effect immediately upon approval, with the goal of helping families overcome potential employment obstacles related to past child protective investigations.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1922&snum=132