Child abuse and neglect reports; definitions of abuse and neglect revised, rights of accused further provided for, unsubstantiated reports excluded from central registry, investigative hearing required in certain circumstances, use of reports limited

Summary

The bill changes how Alabama defines child abuse and neglect, requires the Department of Human Resources to notify anyone under investigation, and gives them a chance for an administrative hearing. It also bars unsubstantiated reports from the state’s central registry and stops those reports from being used to obtain criminal warrants. The changes aim to protect the rights of the accused while still allowing child removal when credible evidence exists.

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