SHARING OF CERTAIN CYFD INFO

Added detailed definitions for 'abandonment', 'abused child', 'neglected child', 'physical abuse', 'sexual exploitation', and other terms to clarify when children are protected under the law.

Requires courts to issue written orders when excluding media from abuse or neglect hearings, and these orders are now appealable.

Mandates the department to create and maintain a public dashboard on its website with quarterly updates and an annual report containing statistics on child fatalities, investigations, placements, and other key metrics.

Requires the department to release specific information about child fatalities and near fatalities within five business days, including details about the child, cause of death, and prior reports.

Expanded the list of individuals and entities who may access confidential department records to include law enforcement, district attorneys, foster parents, grandparents, relatives, health professionals, and others with legitimate interests in child welfare cases.

Added exceptions allowing disclosure of personal identifier information in cases of child fatality, near fatality, missing children, or when a child has been publicly identified by others.

Established penalties for intentionally releasing confidential information and clarified that individuals disclosing information as required by the fatality reporting section cannot be sued for civil or criminal liability.