Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation intended to give authorities faster access to child abuse records when the child is missing and authorities believe a parent, guardian or sibling may be involved.
Sponsors say police, in order to act quickly, may need prompt access to social services records from the statewide register of child abuse and maltreatment.
While existing law provides access to those records when children are missing, lawmakers say some districts interpret it differently, which can cause delays.
The amendment also repeals the option for Office of Children and Family Services review of a local district decision not to provide records.
