"We Won't See Parents Punished So Cavalierly": Reforms Coming To NYS Child Abuse Registry

When parents are accused of child neglect or abuse in New York State, their names are automatically placed into a state registry, even if the allegations were deemed uncredible, and even if a case of maltreatment against a parent was later dismissed by a family court judge.

And having an open file in the registry affects parents’ economic prospects, because they are red-flagged when applying for certain jobs.

But after years of advocacy, changes are coming. As part of the state budget, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed widely-supported legislation to bring reforms to the system. Last year, he vetoed the bill, citing cost issues.

Senator Velmanette Montgomery, who sponsored the legislation in the state senate, said she was “so excited” about the bill’s passage.

It will make a huge difference for hundreds of thousands of people moving forward and we won't see parents punished so cavalierly," said Montgomery in a statement. "This was an important step forward and I'm hopeful that we just opened the door for this conversation to continue.”

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