HB 1137 - DIGEST

     Declares an intent to increase the capacity for oversight and monitoring of the child welfare system, to increase information available to the public, and to increase accountability among the agencies involved in the system.

     Finds that the privacy of children and their families in child abuse and neglect cases must be safeguarded, but that the interests of children, their families, and the public are best protected by increased knowledge and oversight concerning the system, and by greater accountability; and therefore declares that this privacy must be balanced with the appropriate release of information concerning these cases.