Creating an exception to certain mandatory reporting obligations for licensed social workers when working under the supervision of an attorney and permitting an attorney to require a licensed social worker to keep ethical obligations of attorney-client privilege while working under the supervision of such attorney.

HB 2480 creates an exception to mandatory child abuse reporting for licensed social workers when they are working under an attorney's supervision in specific legal matters. It exempts these social workers from reporting suspected child abuse or neglect if the suspicion arises solely during legal representation (in criminal, civil, domestic, or juvenile cases) or while seeking such representation. The bill also allows attorneys to require social workers to maintain attorney-client privilege during these legal proceedings. This change directly affects licensed social workers employed by or working under attorneys in relevant cases, modifying Kansas law to align reporting obligations with legal privilege during representation. The bill amends several Kansas statutes related to mandatory reporting and attorney-client confidentiality.