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Bill

HF 2098

A bill for an act requiring a child abuse investigation for newborn children whose biological parent previously had the parent’s parental rights terminated due to child abuse.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dean Fisher

Mandates automatic child abuse investigations for newborns whose biological parent had parental rights previously terminated for abuse, regardless of current circumstances.

Introduced, referred to Judiciary.
#childabuse #juvenilejustice #newbornchildren #parentalrights #parents
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Bill Summary · HF 2098

Legislative bill overview

HF 2098 requires mandatory child abuse investigations for newborn children when a biological parent previously had parental rights terminated due to child abuse. The bill creates an automatic investigative trigger based on parental history rather than current circumstances or evidence of present danger.

Why is this important

This bill addresses a genuine child safety concern: parents with histories of abuse might pose risks to subsequent children. However, it also raises significant questions about due process, the presumption of innocence, and whether past termination automatically indicates future danger without individual assessment of current conditions.

Potential points of contention

  • Presumption of guilt: Automatically investigating parents based solely on prior termination could burden individuals seeking family reunification or redemption, without individualized assessment of current circumstances
  • Resource allocation: Mandatory investigations may strain child protective services agencies, potentially diverting resources from cases with immediate safety indicators
  • Scope and fairness: The bill doesn't specify investigation standards, what triggers closure, or whether parents can challenge mandatory involvement, creating potential for indefinite scrutiny
  • Effectiveness questions: Research on whether past abuse inevitably predicts future abuse in different family contexts, or whether targeted case-by-case assessment would better protect children

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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