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HB 2742

Enacting the family rights in medical investigations act to provide requirements for the reporting of suspicions of abuse or neglect of a child for medical professionals and require a medical professional to provide notice to a parent of a CARE exam and allow parents to request a second medical opinion.

2025-2026 Regular Session

The bill would require medical professionals to report suspected child abuse or neglect, notify parents about CARE examinations, and allow parents to seek a second medical opinion.

Died in Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2742

Overview

HB 2742 (Kansas, 2025-2026) seeks to enact the Family Rights in Medical Investigations Act. The bill would impose requirements related to reporting suspicions of abuse or neglect of a child by medical professionals, establish procedures for notifying parents about CARE examinations, and authorize parents to request a second medical opinion in certain circumstances. The measure progressed to a House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care but died in committee on April 10, 2026.

Purpose and intent

  • Create statutory requirements governing reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect by medical professionals.
  • Establish parental notice obligations regarding CARE (Child Abuse Recognition and Examination) examinations.
  • Provide parents with a mechanism to obtain a second medical opinion in relation to CARE examinations or related medical assessments.

Key provisions (highlights and practical effect)

  • Reporting of suspected abuse/neglect by medical professionals:

    • Mandates or clarifies that medical professionals must report suspicions of child abuse or neglect.
    • Likely outlines who is required to report (e.g., physicians, nurses, hospital staff) and the time frame for reporting (e.g., within a certain number of hours/days).
    • May specify content or channels for reporting (e.g., state child welfare agencies, law enforcement) and protections for reporters.

  • Notice to parents of CARE exams:

    • Requires medical professionals to provide direct notice to a parent when a CARE examination is or is to be conducted.
    • The notice may include information about the purpose of the examination, who is conducting it, the expected scope, and the parent’s rights.

  • Right to a second medical opinion:

    • Authorizes or requires a process for parents to request a second medical opinion related to CARE examinations or findings.
    • May outline timelines, the selection process for second opinions, and potential limitations or costs.
    • Could specify documentation or appeals procedures if the second opinion differs from the initial assessment.

Who is affected

  • Medical professionals involved in pediatric care, emergency medicine, pediatrics, radiology, social work, and any clinicians participating in CARE examinations.
  • Hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities where pediatric care and CARE-style assessments occur.
  • Parents or legal guardians of child patients undergoing medical evaluation for suspected abuse or during CARE processes.
  • State child welfare agencies and law enforcement in relation to mandated reporting and information sharing.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Died in Committee (as of 2026-04-10).
  • History:
    • Introduced and referred to the House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care on 2026-02-06.
    • The bill did not advance beyond committee, limiting its impact in the current session.
  • Implications of failure to pass:
    • Without enactment, the proposed explicit requirements for reporting, parental notice, and second opinions would not take effect.
    • Existing Kansas statutes and administrative rules would continue to govern reporting obligations, notice practices, and patient/parent rights, subject to any gaps the bill sought to address.

Potential impact if enacted (hypothetical)

  • Improved consistency in reporting suspected abuse or neglect by medical professionals.
  • Clearer parental rights and information flow during CARE examinations.
  • Structured pathway for parents to obtain a second medical opinion, potentially affecting decision-making, care timelines, and outcomes for the child.
  • Possible administrative and training implications for medical facilities to implement notices and second-opinion processes.

Notes

  • As of the provided action history, the bill did not become law in the 2025-2026 session due to its passage status in committee. Readers should monitor any future reintroduction or similar proposals for changes in reporting, notice, and second-opinion provisions.

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

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