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Connecticut Law About Child Abuse and Neglect
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See Also Child Abuse and Neglect Registry, Domestic Violence, Safe Havens, Termination of Parental Rights

Research Guides

  Connecticut Public Acts

Research guides prepared by the Connecticut Judicial Branch law librarians:

OLR Research Reports - Office of Legislative Research:

Connecticut Department of Children and Families

Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services

Center for Children's Advocacy

Child Welfare Information Gateway (Administration of Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

Connecticut Practice Book

  • Chapter 32a - Rights of Parties Neglected, Uncared for and Dependent Children and Termination of Parental Rights
  • Chapter 33a - Petitions for Neglect, Uncared for, Dependency and Termination of Parental Rights: Initiation of Proceedings, Orders of Temporary Custody and Preliminary Hearings
  • Chapter 34a - Pleadings, Motions and Discovery Neglected, Uncared for and Dependent Children and Termination of Parental Rights
  • Chapter 35a - Hearings Concerning Neglected, Uncared for and Dependent Children and Termination of Parental Rights

Useful Websites

Library Materials

  • Paul Chill, The Law Of Child Abuse And Neglect In Connecticut (1997).
  • Ann M. Haralambie, Handling Child Custody, Abuse and Adoption Cases (3rd ed. 2009).

    You need to visit your local law library to use these materials. Search the online catalog for availability and locations.

 

Connecticut General Statutes

Selected statutes:

Chapter 319 - Department of Children and Families

  • Sec. 17a-28. Definitions. Confidentiality and access to records; exceptions. Procedure for aggrieved persons.

Chapter 319a - Child Welfare

  • Sec. 17a-93. Definitions.

  • Sec. 17a-101. Protection of children from abuse. Mandated reporters. Educational and training programs.

  • Sec. 17a-101a. Report of abuse, neglect or injury of child or imminent risk of serious harm to child. Penalty for failure to report.

  • Sec. 17a-101b. Oral report by mandated reporter. Notification of law enforcement agency when allegation of sexual abuse or serious physical abuse. Notification of person in charge of institution, facility or school when staff member suspected of abuse or neglect.

  • Sec. 17a-101e. Employers prohibited from discrimination against witness in child abuse proceeding. Penalty. Immunity for making report of child abuse in good faith. False report of child abuse. Penalty.

  • Sec. 17a-101g. Classification and evaluation of reports. Determination of abuse or neglect of child. Investigation. Notice, entry of recommended finding. Referral to local law enforcement authority. Home visit. Removal of child in imminent risk of harm.

  • Sec. 17a-101k. Registry of findings of abuse or neglect of children maintained by Commissioner of Children and Families. Notice of finding of abuse or neglect of child. Appeal of finding. Hearing procedure. Appeal after hearing. Confidentiality. Regulations.

  • Sec. 17a-103. Reports by others. False reports. Notification to law enforcement agency.

Chapter 813a - Office of the Victim Advocate. Office of the Child Advocate.

  • Sec. 46a-13l. Child Advocate's duties. Child fatality review panel. Reports to the Governor and the General Assembly. Investigations.

Chapter 815t - Juvenile Matters

  • Sec. 46b-120. Definitions
  • Sec. 46b-129. Commitment of child or youth. Petition for neglected, uncared-for, dependent child or youth. Hearing re temporary custody, order to appear or petition. Review of permanency plan. Cost of care and maintenance of child or youth; reimbursement. Revocation of commitment. Applicability of provisions re placement of child from another state and Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.

Click on the link below to search the full-text of the statutes:
https://search.cga.state.ct.us/r/statute/

Connecticut DCF Policy and Regulations

Department of Children and Families Policies

Selected Policies:

Department of Children and Families Regulations

Selected Regulation:

  • Sec. 17a-101k-3. Criteria for registry finding that individual responsible for abuse or neglect of a child poses a risk to the health, safety or well-being of children


Connecticut Law by Subject