Bill would set up child safety investigations at funded programs

The bill would establish a department team and local units to investigate referred reports. The reports would concern critical or serious critical incidents involving a child at a program or facility receiving department funds. The team would investigate reports referred to it by the department. Each investigation would have to start within 24 hours after assignment and finish within 60 days, unless the coordinator documents good cause for an extension.

Investigation units would have immediate, unrestricted access to people, premises, and relevant records; programs and employees would have to cooperate and could not interfere or retaliate. The access and cooperation requirements would cover programs or facilities receiving department funds and their employees. These provisions would apply during investigations of incidents alleged to have occurred at funded programs or facilities.

Units would follow investigation procedures, give written notice to an alleged perpetrator at first contact, document findings, and notify specified people. The procedures would apply to investigations of incidents involving children at programs or facilities receiving department funds. The unit would notify the child and their parent, guardian, or custodian, the program manager, and, when criminal activity is suspected, appropriate law enforcement. When allegations expand, a newly identified alleged perpetrator would get a separate interview and an opportunity to respond. If a child faces an immediate health or safety risk, the unit would have to take or recommend protective action. Findings would state whether the allegation was supported by more likely than not evidence, note concerns, and say whether the incident was referred to law enforcement. Notifications would share findings, not investigative materials; when appropriate, units would require corrective action or monitoring. The department would have to adopt rules to carry out these provisions by September 30, 2026.