New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A09481

Introduced
1/7/26  
Refer
1/7/26  
Report Pass
1/12/26  
Refer
1/12/26  

Caption

Requires name and contact information to be provided in certain calls made to the statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment.

Impact

The changes proposed in A09481 directly impact the social services law in New York, particularly regarding the obligations of callers to identify themselves when reporting suspected child abuse. It aims to facilitate the tracking of reports and ensure that repeat concerns regarding specific children are addressed. Furthermore, these amendments seek to enhance the accountability of service providers by ensuring that all people, including those mandated to report, provide identifiable information during the reporting process.

Summary

Bill A09481 mandates that individuals reporting suspected child abuse or maltreatment must provide their name and contact information to the statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment. The intent of the bill is to streamline the reporting process and ensure that reports can be appropriately tracked and addressed. It is essential that the central register is equipped to receive such reports effectively, allowing for continuous monitoring of child protective services and prompt responses to allegations.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding the bill. Proponents argue that requiring caller identification will improve the efficacy of the child welfare system by ensuring more reliable data collection and responsiveness to needs identified through reports. Conversely, critics raise concerns over the potential deterrent effect this requirement could have on individuals considering making a report, particularly in sensitive situations where anonymity might encourage more candid reporting of abuse or maltreatment. The balance between ensuring thorough investigations and protecting the privacy of individuals reaching out remains a crucial aspect of this discussion.

Companion Bills

NY S08778

Same As Requires name and contact information to be provided in certain calls made to the statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment.

Previously Filed As

NY S08778

Requires name and contact information to be provided in certain calls made to the statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment.

NY A00066

Requires a caller making a report of suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the central register to leave their name and contact information; prohibits the office of children and family services from releasing information identifying a person who made such a report.

NY S00550

Requires a caller making a report of suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the central register to leave their name and contact information; prohibits the office of children and family services from releasing information identifying a person who made such a report.

NY A10380

Directs the office of children and family services to annually publish on its website certain data about calls made to the statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment and the HEARS family line.

NY A08343

Establishes the offense of aggravated murder of a child, aggravated abuse of a child, aggravated manslaughter of a child, and aggravated endangering the welfare of a child; requires the recording of calls to the statewide register of child abuse made by mandated reporters; defines "neglected child".

NY S07851

Establishes the offense of aggravated murder of a child, aggravated abuse of a child, aggravated manslaughter of a child, and aggravated endangering the welfare of a child; requires the recording of calls to the statewide register of child abuse made by mandated reporters; defines "neglected child".

NY A09202

Requires additional investigation when three or more claims of abuse or maltreatment of a child are made relating to the same person; requires such person to be investigated and evaluated at least once a year for the next five years from the date of the last report.

NY A11074

Relates to reporting allegations of child abuse or maltreatment that occurred to a resident of New York in another state to an agency having similar powers in the state in which the allegations occurred.

NY A08272

Provides access to representation for adults in child protective proceedings of the family court who are financially eligible as determined by the chief administrator of the courts; provides access by attorneys for adults and children to records of the statewide registry of child abuse and maltreatment.

NY S09944

Establishes a public animal cruelty registry that requires persons over eighteen years of age convicted of animal abuse to register with the division of criminal justice services; requires such registry to contain certain information about each person registered; requires persons registered to pay an annual surcharge of fifty dollars to be used for costs and expenses associated with maintaining the registry.

Similar Bills

MN HF4316

Licensing actions modified to indicate whether a violation was self-reported, and child care programs required to give parents materials on how to recognize abuse.

NY S08778

Requires name and contact information to be provided in certain calls made to the statewide central register of child abuse and maltreatment.

NY A11074

Relates to reporting allegations of child abuse or maltreatment that occurred to a resident of New York in another state to an agency having similar powers in the state in which the allegations occurred.

AR HB1664

To Amend "quincy's Law" Concerning Physical Exams And Other Testing In An Investigation Involving Alleged Abuse Under The Child Maltreatment Act; And To Declare An Emergency.

MN SF1841

Judicial review of maltreatment occurring outside of Minnesota authorization provision and local welfare agency responsibility for assessing of investigating alleged child maltreatment occurring outside of Minnesota provision

MN HF1367

Judicial review of child maltreatment occurring outside of Minnesota allowed, and local welfare agency responsibility for assessing or investigating alleged maltreatment occurring outside of state provided.

CT HB06186

An Act Concerning Medical Records Pertaining To Prenatal Care And Mandated Reports.

NY A00066

Requires a caller making a report of suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the central register to leave their name and contact information; prohibits the office of children and family services from releasing information identifying a person who made such a report.