Bill Would Allow CPS Access To Criminal Records
Posted on Monday, 12 of May , 2008 at 8:26 pm
ALBANY—The New York State Senate passed legislation Monday that would provide child protective services units with the ability to access criminal history reports of adults residing with children who are alleged or suspected to be abused, neglected, or mistreated.
The bill (S.2978-A), sponsored by Sen. Joseph Robach (R-C-I-WF, Rochester), would improve investigations by providing certain child protective services personnel with access to the New York State Police Information Network (NYSPIN) that is currently used by law enforcement officials and district attorneys to review criminal records. Access to criminal history records of persons in a residence will assist CPS workers in making appropriate assessments about the safety of the children in question, and would reveal persons who have violent criminal histories or have previously committed crimes against children.
By having this information in advance, CPS workers could make better informed decisions to ensure a safer response, and gain a fuller understanding of a child’s situation.
“In addition to risking their own safety when making unannounced home visits, CPS workers are required to make assessments about the potential risks faced by children living in the home,” Robach said. “Having access to critical criminal background records would help CPS workers make more fully informed and accurate judgments about the safety of these children.”
The bill was sent to the Assembly. 5-12-08
Category: Courts, Crime, Family, Government, New York State, Politics
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