Bill > SB259

This bill requires that if an agency begins an investigation into child abuse or neglect, or abuse of an unborn child, and knows or has reason to believe a parent is in the U.S. armed forces, including reserves or the Wisconsin National Guard, the agency must notify the appropriate U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) authorities as soon as possible after starting the investigation. This notification will only include the name and address of the child or expectant mother and the fact that an investigation has begun. Additionally, the bill amends existing law to ensure that these new notices provided to the DoD are treated with the same confidentiality as other reports and records related to child abuse investigations, meaning they can only be disclosed to specific authorized individuals or entities.