ORS 419B.035
Confidentiality of records

  • when available to others
  • rules

(1)

Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 192.001 (Policy concerning public records) to 192.170 (Disposition of materials without authorization), 192.210 (Definitions for ORS 192.210 and 192.220) to 192.478 (Exemption for Judicial Department) and 192.610 (Definitions for ORS 192.610 to 192.690) to 192.810 (Applicability of ORS 192.805) relating to confidentiality and accessibility for public inspection of public records and public documents, reports and records compiled under the provisions of ORS 419B.010 (Duty of officials to report child abuse) to 419B.050 (Authority of health care provider to disclose information) are confidential and may not be disclosed except as provided in this section. The Department of Human Services shall make the records available to:

(a)

Any law enforcement agency or a child abuse registry in any other state for the purpose of subsequent investigation of child abuse;

(b)

Any physician, physician assistant licensed under ORS 677.505 (Application of provisions governing physician assistants to other health professions) to 677.525 (Fees) or nurse practitioner licensed under ORS 678.375 (Nurse practitioners) to 678.390 (Authority of nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist to write prescriptions or dispense drugs), at the request of the physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner, regarding any child brought to the physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner or coming before the physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner for examination, care or treatment;

(c)

Attorneys of record for the child or child’s parent or guardian in any juvenile court proceeding;

(d)

Citizen review boards established by the Judicial Department for the purpose of periodically reviewing the status of children, youths and adjudicated youths under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court under ORS 419B.100 (Jurisdiction) and 419C.005 (Jurisdiction). Citizen review boards may make such records available to participants in case reviews;

(e)

A court appointed special advocate in any juvenile court proceeding in which it is alleged that a child has been subjected to child abuse or neglect;

(f)

The Office of Child Care for certifying, registering or otherwise regulating child care facilities;

(g)

The Office of Children’s Advocate;

(h)

The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission for investigations conducted under ORS 339.390 (Investigations by Teacher Standards and Practices Commission of persons who are commission licensees) or 342.176 (Complaint process) involving any child or any student;

(i)

Any person, upon request to the Department of Human Services, if the reports or records requested regard an incident in which a child, as the result of abuse, died or suffered serious physical injury as defined in ORS 161.015 (General definitions). Reports or records disclosed under this paragraph must be disclosed in accordance with ORS 192.311 (Definitions for ORS 192.311 to 192.478) to 192.478 (Exemption for Judicial Department);

(j)

The Office of Child Care for purposes of ORS 329A.030 (Central Background Registry) (10)(g), (h) and (i);

(k)

With respect to a report of abuse occurring at a school or in an educational setting that involves a child with a disability, Disability Rights Oregon;

(L)

The Department of Education for purposes of investigations conducted under ORS 339.391 (Investigations by Department of Education of persons who are not commission licensees); and

(m)

An education provider for the purpose of making determinations under ORS 339.388 (Report of abuse or sexual conduct).

(2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

When disclosing reports and records pursuant to subsection (1)(i) of this section, the Department of Human Services may exempt from disclosure the names, addresses and other identifying information about other children, witnesses, victims or other persons named in the report or record if the department determines, in written findings, that the safety or well-being of a person named in the report or record may be jeopardized by disclosure of the names, addresses or other identifying information, and if that concern outweighs the public’s interest in the disclosure of that information.

(b)

If the Department of Human Services does not have a report or record of abuse regarding a child who, as the result of abuse, died or suffered serious physical injury as defined in ORS 161.015 (General definitions), the department may disclose that information.

(3)

The Department of Human Services may make reports and records compiled under the provisions of ORS 419B.010 (Duty of officials to report child abuse) to 419B.050 (Authority of health care provider to disclose information) available to any person, administrative hearings officer, court, agency, organization or other entity when the department determines that such disclosure is necessary to administer its child welfare services and is in the best interests of the affected child, or that such disclosure is necessary to investigate, prevent or treat child abuse and neglect, to protect children from abuse and neglect or for research when the Director of Human Services gives prior written approval. The Department of Human Services shall adopt rules setting forth the procedures by which it will make the disclosures authorized under this subsection or subsection (1) or (2) of this section. The name, address and other identifying information about the person who made the report may not be disclosed pursuant to this subsection and subsection (1) of this section.

(4)

A law enforcement agency may make reports and records compiled under the provisions of ORS 419B.010 (Duty of officials to report child abuse) to 419B.050 (Authority of health care provider to disclose information) available to other law enforcement agencies, district attorneys, city attorneys with criminal prosecutorial functions and the Attorney General when the law enforcement agency determines that disclosure is necessary for the investigation or enforcement of laws relating to child abuse and neglect or necessary to determine a claim for crime victim compensation under ORS 147.005 (Definitions) to 147.367 (Services to victims of acts of mass destruction).

(5)

A law enforcement agency, upon completing an investigation and closing the file in a specific case relating to child abuse or neglect, shall make reports and records in the case available upon request to any law enforcement agency or community corrections agency in this state, to the Department of Corrections, to the Oregon Youth Authority or to the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision for the purpose of managing and supervising offenders in custody or on probation, parole, post-prison supervision or other form of conditional or supervised release. A law enforcement agency may make reports and records compiled under the provisions of ORS 419B.010 (Duty of officials to report child abuse) to 419B.050 (Authority of health care provider to disclose information) available to the Oregon Youth Authority, law enforcement, community corrections, corrections or parole agencies in an open case when the law enforcement agency determines that the disclosure will not interfere with an ongoing investigation in the case. The name, address and other identifying information about the person who made the report may not be disclosed under this subsection or subsection (6)(b) of this section.

(6)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

Any record made available to a law enforcement agency or community corrections agency in this state, to the Department of Corrections, the Oregon Youth Authority or the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision or to a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner in this state, as authorized by subsections (1) to (5) of this section, shall be kept confidential by the agency, department, board, physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. Any record or report disclosed by the Department of Human Services to other persons or entities pursuant to subsections (1) and (3) of this section shall be kept confidential.

(b)

Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection:

(A)

A law enforcement agency, a community corrections agency, the Department of Corrections, the Oregon Youth Authority and the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision may disclose records made available to them under subsection (5) of this section to each other, to law enforcement, community corrections, corrections and parole agencies of other states and to authorized treatment providers for the purpose of managing and supervising offenders in custody or on probation, parole, post-prison supervision or other form of conditional or supervised release.

(B)

The Department of Corrections and the Oregon Youth Authority may disclose records made available to them under subsection (5) of this section regarding a person in the custody of the Department of Corrections or the Oregon Youth Authority to each other, to the court, to the district attorney and to the person’s attorney for the purpose of the person’s hearing under ORS 420A.200 (Duration of custody of Oregon Youth Authority) to 420A.206 (Conditional release).

(C)

A person may disclose records made available to the person under subsection (1)(i) of this section if the records are disclosed for the purpose of advancing the public interest.

(7)

Except as provided by ORS 339.389 (Receipt by Department of Education from Department of Human Services of notification of report or investigation of abuse), an officer or employee of the Department of Human Services or of a law enforcement agency or any person or entity to whom disclosure is made pursuant to subsections (1) to (6) of this section may not release any information not authorized by subsections (1) to (6) of this section.

(8)

As used in this section, “law enforcement agency” has the meaning given that term in ORS 181A.010 (Definitions for ORS 181A.010 to 181A.350).

(9)

A person who violates subsection (6)(a) or (7) of this section commits a Class A violation. [1993 c.546 §§20,20a; 1995 c.278 §51; 1997 c.328 §8; 1999 c.1051 §181; 2003 c.14 §224; 2003 c.412 §1; 2003 c.591 §8; 2005 c.317 §1; 2005 c.659 §2; 2009 c.348 §§3,4; 2009 c.393 §1; 2012 c.3 §2; 2013 c.624 §84; 2014 c.45 §43; 2017 c.108 §5; 2017 c.356 §43; 2017 c.377 §1; 2017 c.616 §2; 2019 c.141 §26; 2019 c.618 §19; 2021 c.194 §1; 2021 c.386 §7; 2021 c.489 §57]

Source: Section 419B.035 — Confidentiality of records; when available to others; rules, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors419B.­html.

Notes of Decisions

Under former similar statute

Children’s Services Division is forbidden to release information concerning day care facility being investigated to prospective users of facility. Brasel v. Children’s Services Div., 56 Or App 559, 642 P2d 696 (1982)

Where defendant sought disclosure of statements made by state’s prospective witnesses and requested in camera inspection by court of Children’s Services Division case records relating to victim, court erred when it failed to review files for exculpatory evidence. State v. Warren, 304 Or 428, 746 P2d 711 (1987); State v. Wattenbarger, 97 Or App 414, 776 P2d 1292 (1989), Sup Ct review denied

To be entitled to immunity, witness must invoke right to refuse to testify and commission must then decide whether to issue post-invocation order. 7455 Incorporated v. OLCC, 310 Or 477, 800 P2d 781 (1990)

Trial judge was required to personally undertake in camerainspection of Children’s Services Division case records rather than delegate inspection to party or party’s counsel. State ex rel Carlile v. Lewis, 310 Or 541, 800 P2d 786 (1990)

Under ORS 135.815, prosecutor was required to disclose portions of Children’s Services Division files containing written memoranda of statements of witnesses state intended to call, even though files were confidential. State v. Wood, 112 Or App 61, 827 P2d 924 (1992), Sup Ct review denied

419B.005
Definitions
419B.007
Policy
419B.010
Duty of officials to report child abuse
419B.015
Report form and content
419B.016
Offense of false report of child abuse
419B.017
Time limits for notification between law enforcement agencies and Department of Human Services
419B.019
Investigation of report involving school
419B.020
Duty of department or law enforcement agency receiving report
419B.021
Degree requirements for persons conducting investigation or making determination regarding child
419B.023
Duties of person conducting investigation under ORS 419B.020
419B.025
Immunity of person making report in good faith
419B.026
Required findings for investigation conducted under ORS 419B.020
419B.028
Photographing child during investigation
419B.030
Central registry of reports
419B.035
Confidentiality of records
419B.040
Certain privileges not grounds for excluding evidence in court proceedings on child abuse
419B.045
Investigation conducted on school premises
419B.050
Authority of health care provider to disclose information
419B.055
Action by Attorney General for protective order on behalf of department employee
419B.090
Juvenile court
419B.100
Jurisdiction
419B.110
Emergency medical care
419B.112
Court appointed special advocate
419B.116
Intervention
419B.117
Notice to parents or guardian of child
419B.118
Venue
419B.121
Return of runaway children to another state
419B.124
Transfer to juvenile court from another court
419B.127
Transfer to court of county of child or ward’s residence
419B.130
Delegation of jurisdiction by county of residence
419B.132
Delegation of jurisdiction among county juvenile courts
419B.135
Transfer of case
419B.150
When protective custody authorized
419B.152
Protective custody of runaway child
419B.155
Protective custody not arrest
419B.157
Jurisdiction attaches at time of custody
419B.160
Prohibition on detention
419B.165
Release of child taken into custody
419B.168
Procedure when child is not released
419B.171
Report required when child is taken into protective custody
419B.175
Initial disposition of child taken into protective custody
419B.180
Shelter facilities
419B.183
Speedy hearing required
419B.185
Evidentiary hearing
419B.192
Placement of child or ward
419B.194
Participation in extracurricular activities
419B.195
Appointment of counsel for child or ward
419B.198
Responsibility for payment of costs related to provision of appointed counsel for child or ward
419B.201
Compensation for court-appointed counsel for child or ward under ORS 135.055
419B.205
Appointment of counsel for parent or legal guardian
419B.208
Other law applicable to appointment of counsel
419B.211
Motion to withdraw as counsel
419B.220
Appointment of surrogate
419B.223
Duties and tenure of surrogate
419B.231
Appointment
419B.234
Qualifications
419B.237
Duration of appointment
419B.305
When hearing must be held
419B.310
Conduct of hearings
419B.325
Disposition required
419B.328
Ward of the court
419B.331
When protective supervision authorized
419B.334
Placement out of state
419B.335
Department of Human Services reports regarding out-of-state placements
419B.337
Commitment to custody of Department of Human Services
419B.340
Reasonable or active efforts determination
419B.343
Recommendations of committing court
419B.346
Medical planning
419B.349
Court authority to review placement or proposed placement
419B.351
Court approval of placement in qualified residential treatment program
419B.352
Hospitalization
419B.365
Permanent guardianship
419B.366
Guardianship
419B.367
Letters of guardianship
419B.368
Review, modification or vacation of guardianship order
419B.369
Guardianship study
419B.371
Community guardianship
419B.372
Guardianship as incident of custody
419B.373
Duties and authority of legal custodian
419B.376
Duties and authority of guardian
419B.379
Guardian is not conservator
419B.385
Parent or guardian as party
419B.387
Parent participation in treatment or training
419B.389
Inability of parent to comply with order of court
419B.395
Judgment of parentage or nonparentage
419B.400
Authority to order support
419B.402
Support order is judgment
419B.404
Support for child or ward in state financed or supported institution
419B.406
Assignment of support order to state
419B.408
Enforcement of support order
419B.440
Circumstances requiring reports
419B.443
Time and content of reports
419B.446
Filing report
419B.449
Review hearing by court
419B.452
Distribution of report by court
419B.460
Agency’s responsibility
419B.470
Permanency hearing
419B.473
Notice
419B.476
Conduct of hearing
419B.498
Termination of parental rights
419B.500
Termination of parental rights generally
419B.502
Termination upon finding of extreme conduct
419B.504
Termination upon finding of unfitness
419B.506
Termination upon finding of neglect
419B.508
Termination upon finding of abandonment
419B.510
Termination upon finding child conceived as result of rape
419B.517
Mediation to be encouraged
419B.518
Appointment of counsel for parents
419B.521
Conduct of termination hearing
419B.524
Effect of termination order
419B.527
Disposition of ward after termination
419B.529
Adoption after permanent commitment or surrender
419B.530
Representation by Attorney General
419B.532
Reinstatement of parental rights
419B.550
Definitions for ORS 419B.550 to 419B.558
419B.552
Application for emancipation judgment
419B.555
Hearing
419B.558
Entry of judgment of emancipation
419B.600
Policy on Indian child welfare
419B.603
Definitions
419B.606
Custody
419B.609
Acknowledgment or establishment of parentage
419B.612
Best interests of Indian child
419B.615
Assistance enrolling child in tribe
419B.618
Determination of Indian child’s tribe
419B.621
Judicial determination of Indian child’s residence, domicile and status as ward
419B.622
Domicile
419B.624
Tribal-state agreements
419B.627
Jurisdiction
419B.630
Motion to transfer to tribal court
419B.633
Transfer to tribal court
419B.636
Inquiry to determine whether child is Indian child
419B.639
Notice to tribe in emergency proceeding
419B.642
Qualified expert witness
419B.645
Active efforts
419B.646
Right to appear
419B.647
Right to counsel
419B.648
Right to examine reports or documents
419B.651
Vacating order or judgment regarding jurisdiction, placement, guardianship or termination of parental rights
419B.652
Determination regarding improper removal or retainment
419B.654
Placement preferences
419B.656
Tribal customary adoption
419B.657
Reports to Legislative Assembly
419B.660
Conflict of laws
419B.663
Full faith and credit
419B.665
Rules
419B.800
Applicability of ORS 419B.800 to 419B.929
419B.803
Jurisdiction
419B.806
Consolidation
419B.809
Petition
419B.812
Issuance of summons
419B.815
Summons for proceeding to establish jurisdiction under ORS 419B.100
419B.816
Notice to person contesting petition to establish jurisdiction
419B.818
Form of summons under ORS 419B.815
419B.819
Summons for proceeding to establish permanent guardianship or terminate parental rights
419B.820
Notice to parent contesting petition to establish permanent guardianship or terminate parental rights
419B.822
Form of summons under ORS 419B.819
419B.823
Service of summons generally
419B.824
Methods of serving summons
419B.827
Responsibility for costs of service of summons and travel expenses of party summoned
419B.830
Return of summons
419B.833
Proof of service of summons or mailing
419B.836
Effect of error in summons or service of summons
419B.839
Required and discretionary summons
419B.842
When arrest warrant authorized
419B.845
Restraining order when child abuse alleged
419B.846
Service of restraining order
419B.848
Process generally
419B.851
Service of process
419B.854
Computing statutory time periods
419B.857
Pleadings
419B.860
Motions
419B.863
Pleadings
419B.866
Signing pleadings required
419B.869
Responding to pleadings
419B.872
Amendment of pleadings
419B.875
Parties to proceedings
419B.876
Visitation or other contact between grandparent and ward
419B.878
Judicial inquiry and finding regarding whether child is Indian child
419B.881
Disclosure
419B.884
Depositions
419B.887
Objections at depositions
419B.890
Dismissal of petition at end of petitioner’s case
419B.893
Subpoenas generally
419B.896
Subpoena for production of books, papers, documents and other tangible things
419B.899
Issuance of subpoena
419B.902
Service of subpoena
419B.905
Subpoena of incarcerated witness
419B.908
Witness fees
419B.911
Failure to obey subpoena
419B.914
Proceeding when person entitled to service is not summoned and is not before court
419B.918
Manner of appearance
419B.920
New hearings
419B.923
Modifying or setting aside order or judgment
419B.926
Stay of order or judgment pending appeal
419B.929
Enforcement of certain orders and judgments
419B.950
Educational program regarding federal and state adoption and child welfare laws
419B.953
Training and continuing education for caseworkers
Green check means up to date. Up to date