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Bill

LC 1652

Generally revise child abuse and neglect laws

2025 Regular Session

The bill would overhaul child abuse and neglect laws, affecting definitions, reporting, investigations, court processes, and interagency coordination for child welfare.

(LC) Draft Died in Process
#socialservices #courts #familylaw #lawenforcement #minors
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Bill Summary · LC 1652

Summary of LC 1652: Generally revise child abuse and neglect laws

Overview

  • Bill number and title: LC 1652, “Generally revise child abuse and neglect laws.”
  • Introduced: November 19, 2024
  • Status: Draft Died in Process (as of May 26, 2025)
  • Classification/Subjects: Courts; Family Law; Law Enforcement; Minors; Social Services

Note: The text of the bill is not provided here. The summary below reflects the bill’s stated purpose and the typical scope of a reform bill in this subject area, as well as available legislative actions and status.

Purpose and scope

  • The title indicates an overall revision of the state’s child abuse and neglect laws.
  • Because the bill crosses multiple policy areas, it would potentially affect:
    • How child abuse and neglect are defined and identified
    • Roles and responsibilities of courts, child welfare agencies, and law enforcement
    • Procedures for reporting, investigations, and protective interventions
    • Court processes related to child welfare, including placements, termination of parental rights, and reunification or permanency planning
    • Protections and rights of families and children within the child welfare system
  • Concrete provisions (definitions, thresholds, timelines, funding, training requirements, confidentiality rules, etc.) are not provided in the available text, so the exact changes cannot be listed here.

Likely areas of change (based on subject areas)

  • Definitions: potential modernization or clarification of terms related to abuse, neglect, and dependents.
  • Reporting and investigations: pathways for mandatory reporters, timelines for investigations, and coordination among agencies.
  • Court involvement: standards for petitions, hearings, temporary versus permanent orders, and due process protections.
  • Interagency coordination: mechanisms for collaboration among courts, social services, and police.
  • Services and placement: procedures for placement, family support services, and permanency planning.
  • Privacy and confidentiality: handling of sensitive information in investigations and court records.
  • Training and oversight: requirements for professional training and agency oversight.

Who would be affected

  • Children and families involved in child welfare proceedings
  • Mandated reporters (e.g., teachers, healthcare providers, social workers)
  • Local and state courts handling family and juvenile matters
  • Law enforcement agencies and child protective services
  • Child welfare and social services agencies, including ongoing guardianship and placement decisions
  • Attorneys and guardians ad litem representing children and families

Legislative history and status

  • Drafting timeline:
    • Nov 19, 2024: Drafter Assigned
    • Nov 20, 2024: Draft in Legal Review
    • Nov 22, 2024: Draft in Edit
    • Dec 12, 2024: Draft in Input/Proofing
    • Dec 13, 2024: Draft in Final Drafter Review
    • Dec 16, 2024: Draft in Assembly
    • Dec 20, 2024: Draft Ready for Delivery
  • Final status:
    • May 26, 2025: Draft Died in Process
  • Interpretation: The bill did not advance to enacted law. Died in process indicates it failed to complete the legislature’s typical passage process during the 2024-2025 session and would need to be reintroduced in a future session to be reconsidered.

Potential impact and considerations

  • If reintroduced and enacted, the bill could reshape child welfare workflows, timelines, and court procedures; increase or reallocate funding; and influence training and reporting requirements.
  • Stakeholders would include child welfare agencies, courts, law enforcement, schools and healthcare providers with mandated-reporting duties, families in the system, and advocates.
  • As this iteration died in process, there are no enacted changes or effective dates to assess.

Next steps and how to track

  • Monitor for reintroduction in a future session and review the bill’s text for specific provisions.
  • Check committee hearings and fiscal impact analyses for cost implications and implementation requirements.
  • Review stakeholder analyses to understand how changes might affect practice and protections for children and families.

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

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