Relates to certain records under the control of child protective services

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Hevesi

A 9174 aims to clarify and regulate access to child protective services records, balancing privacy with transparency for families, youth, attorneys, and courts.

REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

At a glance

Bill number: A 9174

Title: Relates to certain records under the control of child protective services

Primary sponsor: Andrew Hevesi

Introduced: October 17, 2025

Status: REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Latest action: 2025-10-17 — Referred to Children and Families (listed twice in the provided actions)

Purpose and intent (based on title)

The bill appears to address records that are under the control of child protective services (CPS). While the exact text is not provided, the title suggests a focus on how CPS records are managed, accessed, disclosed, or protected. The intention could involve clarification of who may access certain CPS records, under what circumstances, and how those records must be handled to protect privacy while ensuring appropriate transparency or accountability.

Note: The precise provisions, definitions (e.g., which records are covered, what constitutes “certain records”), and any exceptions would be found in the bill’s full text.

Key provisions (subject to text)

Because the full text is not included here, the following are potential areas such bills commonly address. The actual bill may confirm, modify, or omit these:
- Scope of records: Which CPS records are governed (case files, investigations, intake notes, medical or placement records, etc.).
- Access and disclosure: Who can access records (parents/guardians, youth, legal representatives, courts, agencies) and under what circumstances.
- Privacy and confidentiality: Protections, redaction requirements, and limits on release to third parties.
- Procedures for requests: How individuals request records, timelines for responses, and potential fees.
- Safeguards and penalties: Oversight mechanisms, penalties for improper disclosure, and remedies for violations.
- Retention and destruction: How long records must be kept and criteria for archival or disposal.

Affected parties and impacts

Child protective services and related state/local agencies administering child welfare.

Families and guardians seeking access to records.

Youths involved in CPS cases and their legal representatives.

attorneys, advocates, and researchers (depending on access provisions).

Courts and regulatory bodies overseeing compliance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status indicates the bill has been introduced and referred to the House committee on Children and Families (a standard early step in the legislative process).

No further actions (e.g., hearings, amendments, voting) are listed in the provided information.

If advanced, possible next steps include committee hearings, amendments, floor votes, and potential conference actions.

Next steps for readers

Review the full text of A 9174 for precise provisions, definitions, and operative dates.

Monitor committee actions in the Children and Families committee for hearings, amendments, or votes.

If interested, consider submitting testimony or a summary of how the bill would affect CPS records in your locality.

If you can provide the bill’s full text or a link to it, I can produce a more detailed, provision-by-provision summary.

Bill