An Act Concerning The Recommendations Of The Office Of The Child Advocate Regarding The Infant Mortality Review Program.
Summary
HB 7049 makes targeted confidentiality changes to Connecticut law governing the Office of the Child Advocate and the state’s infant mortality review program. The bill authorizes the Commissioner of Public Health to disclose information or data from the infant mortality review program to the Child Advocate when the commissioner determines it is necessary for the Child Advocate to carry out statutory duties. It also clarifies that any information shared with the Child Advocate remains confidential under the Child Advocate confidentiality statute.
The bill further updates the Child Advocate’s confidentiality provisions to expressly allow the Child Advocate to disclose otherwise confidential information in limited circumstances, including when disclosure is in the general public interest, when needed to perform the office’s responsibilities, or when necessary to identify, prevent, or treat child abuse or neglect. It also specifically permits disclosure of infant fatality information to the Commissioner of Public Health when needed for the infant mortality review program, while preserving confidentiality protections for that information.
Impact
The bill amends two sections of the general statutes, section 19a-59j(f) and section 46a-13n(a), effective October 1, 2025. In practical terms, it expands and clarifies the flow of confidential infant mortality and child welfare information between the Department of Public Health and the Office of the Child Advocate, while maintaining confidentiality protections and limiting disclosure of law-enforcement-sensitive information. The measure primarily affects state agencies handling infant death reviews, child protection investigations, and related confidential records.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong, unanimous support in committee, with a 32-0 joint favorable substitute vote. No committee transcript was provided, so there is no recorded floor or committee debate to indicate opposition. Overall, the bill appears to have been viewed as a technical, noncontroversial measure aimed at improving coordination between agencies and implementing recommendations from the Office of the Child Advocate.
Contention
There is little visible contention in the available record. The main policy balance in the bill is between improving information sharing for infant mortality review and child protection purposes, and preserving confidentiality for sensitive records, especially those involving pending law enforcement investigations or prosecutions. Any concern would likely center on privacy and the scope of discretionary disclosure authority granted to the Child Advocate and the Commissioner of Public Health, but no explicit opposition is reflected in the vote or provided discussion materials.