(WKYT) – A bill filed in the Kentucky General Assembly this week would require state social workers to wear body cameras in certain situations, aiming to increase transparency during child custody cases.
House Bill 914, filed by Rep. Josh Calloway, R-District 10, would require social workers to wear body cameras to record interviews with children. The bill would also require dependency, neglect and abuse hearings to be recorded by video and audio. Recordings would be required to be kept for five years.
Annual reporting requirement
The bill would also require the Kentucky Health Cabinet to submit an annual report to the Legislative Research Commission on the number of children removed from their homes and the average caseload of social workers.
Lawmaker cites need for documentation
Calloway said concerns have been raised by social workers, parents and guardians about the need for better documentation of evidence, particularly in custody cases.
“Removing custody from a parent, that is one of the most serious issues done in our society,” Calloway said. “We want to make sure we have everything covered.”
Calloway said the cameras would serve as a protection for social workers during interviews.
“Nothing can be said that wasn’t said,” he said. “There is transparency in all of it. Both the social worker and parent or guardian can have that assurance.”
Fiscal impact still being determined
Calloway said he is still working on the fiscal impact of the mandate and what it would cost the state.
“Any investment we made there, that is constitutional, that is transparent and protects children and parents’ rights, as well as social workers, their ability to do their job well, I think it’s worth the investment,” Calloway said.
There is no word on when the bill will be heard in committee. The Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children said it has not had time to review the bill and issue a response.