Bill > HB2601

This bill establishes a child abuse and neglect registry, to be managed by the secretary for children and families, and outlines the processes for adding individuals to and removing them from this registry. Before an individual can be placed on the registry, they must receive proper notice and have an opportunity for an administrative hearing, with the possibility of appeal to district court within 30 days of an order. If a county or district attorney files a petition alleging a child abuse or neglect crime, they will inform the secretary for potential registry placement, and if an individual is convicted or found to have committed such acts, the court will order their placement on the registry. The bill also allows for the expungement of an individual's name from the registry after three years, provided certain criteria are met, and requires the secretary to consider specific factors when reviewing expungement requests, with a mandatory review after 20 years. Information on the registry is confidential, except for specific legal purposes, and existing rules and regulations concerning child abuse and neglect registries will be voided, requiring the secretary to adopt new ones. The secretary is also permitted to maintain other registries as required by federal law. The bill also amends existing laws related to "SOUL family legal permanency" (a type of legal guardianship for children), adoption assessments, and child care facility employee background checks to align with the new registry provisions, and repeals the old sections of law that are being amended.

Health and Social Services, Justice

Child Welfare and Foster Care (House)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2601/