HB 3471

Abstract

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In a provision requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to allow law enforcement personnel to concurrently investigate with the Department reports of suspected child abuse or neglect, provides that the Department's completed investigative report shall be shared with the office of the State's Attorney of the involved county, if requested, to the extent such disclosure is permitted by current law and regulation, and subject to any and all existing and applicable requirements to maintain the information shared as confidential. Provides that nothing prohibits the office of the State's Attorney of the involved county from concurrently conducting an additional, independent investigation of the same incidents and allegations investigated by the Department. Provides that at the commencement of the State's Attorney's independent investigation, the State's Attorney, in his or her official capacity as a mandated reporter, shall notify the Department of the independent investigation by making a report by telephone to the Department's central register on the single, State-wide, toll-free telephone number established under the Act. Provides that upon completion of the independent investigation, the State's Attorney shall share his or her findings and determinations with the Department.