AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO RELEASE INFORMATION RELATING TO AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PARENTAGE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

HB 5268 allows the Department of Public Health (DPH) to share parentage documents - like legal acknowledgments of parentage - with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This change directly affects parents who signed such documents, children (if 18+), and child welfare services. The bill modifies existing rules to explicitly permit DPH to release this information to DCF staff, improving coordination between health and child welfare agencies. It takes effect October 1, 2026, and does not create new obligations but streamlines information sharing for child safety and support services.