Child abuse and neglect reports; definitions of abuse and neglect revised, rights of accused further provided for, unsubstantiated reports excluded from central registry, investigative hearing required in certain circumstances, use of reports limited

HB 464 revises Alabama's child abuse and neglect reporting system to strengthen due process for individuals accused of abuse or neglect. It updates definitions to require "imminent harm" for abuse and "substantial risk of harm" for neglect, and prohibits including unsubstantiated ("not indicated") reports in the central registry or disclosing them. The bill mandates that accused individuals receive notification of investigations, get a hearing before a confirmed finding is recorded, and learn their rights during the process. Additionally, it blocks law enforcement from using unconfirmed reports to obtain criminal warrants without grand jury approval, and requires the state to remove unsubstantiated reports from the registry.