Panel approves bill allowing DHS to notify employers when adult-abuse reports are screened out

The committee approved Senate Bill 213 to permit the Department of Human Services to notify employers or licensing agencies when an allegation reported to the adult abuse hotline is screened out and will not be investigated.

Sponsor said certain reports to the adult abuse hotline are screened out because they do not meet the legal definition of adult maltreatment or are outside state jurisdiction; Mark White of DHS explained that when a report is screened out employers currently receive no confirmation and may be left uncertain about whether DHS will investigate. White said the bill's purpose is to allow DHS to inform employers that a report was screened out so employers may take appropriate employment or licensing actions.

There was no public testimony in the transcript, and the committee passed the bill by voice vote.

The transcript records an announcement of passage by the chair but does not include a roll-call tally.