CHAPTER 62

An Act concerning the Division of Youth and Family Services and supplementing chapter 6 of Title 9 of the Revised Statutes.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

C.9:6-8.40a Unfounded child abuse allegation information, expungement from DYFS records.

    1. a. The Division of Youth and Family Services in the Department of Human Services shall expunge from its records all information relating to a report, complaint or allegation of an incident of child abuse or neglect with respect to which the division has determined, based upon its investigation thereof, that the report, complaint or allegation of the incident was unfounded.

    b. For purposes of this act, "unfounded" means there is no concern on the part of the division that the safety or welfare of the child is at risk.

    The process of making a determination of an unfounded report, complaint or allegation of an incident of child abuse or neglect shall be further defined in regulations promulgated by the department pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c. 410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.).

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

    Approved April 7, 1997.