Child Protection

It shall be the policy of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to provide information to the maximum exten t possible to carry out the department’s responsibility under law to protect children from abuse and neglect and t o facilitate child and family services. The Department, upon request will disclose information from child protectio n records in its possession pursuant to Section 74-105(7), Idaho Code. Disclosure of Department records under th e Child Protective Act is governed by Section 16-1629(6), Idaho Code, and Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32. Cour t records of Child Protective Act proceedings are governed by Section 16-1626, Idaho Code. Pertinent federal laws an d regulations include 42 USC 5106a. (7-1-25) 01. Child Fatalities. In accordance with 42 USC 5106a(b)(2)(B)(x), the Department will disclose non- identifying summary information to the Statewide Child Fatality Review Team, established by the Governor’s Tas k Force on Children at Risk, regarding child fatalities that were determined to be the result of abuse, neglect, o r abandonment. (3-17-22) 02. Public Disclosure. The Department has the discretion to disclose child-specific information unde r this rule when the disclosure is not in conflict with the child’s best interests and one (1) or more of the followin g applies: (3-17-22) a. Identifying information related to child-specific abuse, neglect, or abandonment has bee n previously published or broadcast through the media; (3-17-22) b. All or part of the child-specific information has been publicly disclosed in a judicial proceeding; or (3-17-22) c. The disclosure of information clarifies actions taken by the Department on a specific case. (3-17-22)