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LC 1947

Generally revise laws relating to dependent abuse and neglect

2025 Regular Session

LC 1947 would broadly overhaul dependent abuse and neglect laws, modernizing definitions, reporting, investigations, protection, and services for children, families, and reporters.

(LC) Draft Died in Process
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Bill Summary · LC 1947

Legislative Bill Summary: LC 1947

Overview

  • Bill number: LC 1947
  • Title: Generally revise laws relating to dependent abuse and neglect
  • Status: Draft; Died in Process (as of 2025-05-27)
  • Introduced: November 23, 2024
  • Classification/Subject: Bill—Crimes, Family Law (Minors)

Purpose and Intent

LC 1947 appears to seek a broad revision of the body of law governing dependent abuse and neglect. While the actual text is not provided here, the bill’s title indicates an intent to overhaul, update, or consolidate existing provisions governing how dependent abuse and neglect are defined, reported, investigated, and remedied. Drafts of this nature typically aim to modernize standards, fill gaps, align with current best practices in child welfare and family law, and improve consistency across related statutes.

Likely Key Provisions (areas to watch in the full text)

Because the specific language is not included, the following categories represent common components in comprehensive revisions of dependent abuse and neglect laws. The actual LC 1947 text may include one or more of these:

  • Definitions: Clarified or expanded definitions of “dependent,” “abuse,” “neglect,” and related terms to ensure clear applicability to children and possibly other dependents.
  • Mandatory Reporting: Revisions to who must report, what constitutes a reportable incident, and response timelines for reporting violations.
  • Investigation and Intervention: Procedural standards for timely investigations by child protective services or equivalent agencies, including criteria for in-depth assessment and safety planning.
  • Protective Services and Placement: Guidelines for temporary or permanent removal, foster care placement, guardianship decisions, and reunification or alternate permanency options.
  • Parental and Guardian Rights: Procedures for notices, hearings, and due process protections for families subject to investigations or removals.
  • Confidentiality and Data: Rules governing information sharing, record-keeping, and privacy protections for minors and families.
  • Interagency Coordination: Provisions to improve collaboration among child welfare agencies, law enforcement, courts, and service providers.
  • Services and Remedies: Availability of family support, counseling, and other services; prioritization of family preservation when safe and appropriate.
  • Funding and Oversight: Provisions for administration, reporting requirements, and potential funding to implement changes.
  • Penalties and Compliance: Consequences for violations of new or revised provisions by mandated reporters or agencies.

Affected Parties and Scope

  • Children and dependents subject to abuse or neglect determinations and protective measures.
  • Parents, guardians, and caregivers involved in investigations, removals, and service plans.
  • Educators, healthcare providers, social workers, and other mandated reporters subject to updated reporting duties.
  • Child protective services, juvenile courts, and law enforcement involved in investigation, removal, and permanency processes.
  • Foster care and adoptive placement providers and related support services.

Procedural Timeline and Status

  • Introduced: 11/23/2024
  • Drafter Assigned: 11/23/2024
  • On Hold: 02/24/2025
  • Died in Process: 05/27/2025
  • Current status indicates the draft did not advance and is not moving in the current session. Reintroduction or revisions could occur in future sessions.

Potential Impact

  • If enacted, LC 1947 could meaningfully reshape how dependent abuse and neglect are defined, detected, and addressed, with implications for families, child welfare agencies, and mandated reporters. Potential impacts include changes to safety planning, placement decisions, service provision, and interagency coordination. The extent of impact will depend on the final text of the bill.

Next Steps

  • To assess the bill’s substantive effects, review the enacted text (when/if reintroduced or released) and accompanying fiscal notes, committee analyses, and legislative fiscal impact statements. If you follow this issue, monitor for new drafts or related bills in subsequent sessions.

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

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