Bill
LC 491
LC 491 aims to revise CPS definitional terms, altering who is considered a child, what constitutes abuse or neglect, and CPS authority and intervention thresholds.
Overview
- Bill number and title: LC 491, “Revise definitions related to child protective services”
- Primary aim: To revise definitions used in relation to child protective services (CPS)
- Status and timeline:
- Introduced: October 4, 2024
- Draft on hold on multiple dates in October 2024
- Draft died in process as of May 22, 2025
- Classification and subject: Bill; Family Law (Minors)
Purpose and intent
- Based on the title, the bill proposes changes to the definitional framework governing child protective services. The precise definitions to be revised are not provided in the information available here.
- By modifying foundational terms, the bill would aim to alter how CPS identifies, flags, and responds to cases involving children in potentially harmful situations.
What the bill would change (note on limitations)
- The exact definitional changes are not included in the provided materials. Therefore, the following areas are described as typical focal points in CPS definitional revisions, rather than as confirmed provisions:
- Definitions of who qualifies as a “child” or dependent for CPS purposes
- Definitions of abuse, neglect, dependency, or risk factors
- Terms related to caregivers, guardians, and custodians
- Substantiation standards, investigation triggers, and thresholds for intervention
- Scope of CPS authority, emergency removals, and placement terminology
- Terms related to foster care, permanency planning, and family reunification
- Readers should treat these as plausible areas of change based on the bill’s title; the official text would specify the exact definitional revisions.
Who would be affected
- Children and families interacting with child protective services
- CPS agencies and personnel who rely on statutory definitions to conduct investigations and determine interventions
- Professionals who report suspected abuse or neglect (e.g., mandatory reporters) and allied system partners (courts, foster care providers)
- Stakeholders in family law and minors policy who align practice with statutory definitions
Procedural and timeline notes
- The bill has remained in a drafting and hold status at several points in October 2024, indicating delays or pauses in progression.
- The status updated in May 2025 shows the draft died in process, meaning it did not advance to further stages (e.g., committee hearings, floor votes) in its current form.
- For anyone tracking this bill, future action would require a new or reintroduced measure with revised language.
Next steps and where to find more information
- The exact text and proposed definitional changes are not available here. Check the official legislative database or the producer’s docket for LC 491 to review the enacted language, committee referrals, fiscal notes, and any amendments.
- Stakeholders should monitor for potential reintroduction or companion measures that address CPS definitions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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