An act relating to access to records by individuals who were in foster care

This bill establishes a legal right for adults who were previously in Vermont's foster care system to access their own records from the Department of Children and Families at no cost. The law requires the Department to provide these records, which may include investigation files, health, education, and family history information, to individuals who are 18 or older and were once in foster care or juvenile proceedings. While the Department may redact certain details to protect the privacy of others or prevent harm to the individual, the bill mandates good faith efforts to disclose records in the broadest form permitted by federal and state law. Additionally, the legislation clarifies existing rules about when parents, guardians, and other authorized parties can access records related to abuse or neglect investigations involving children.