Confidentiality

The Center for Children's Law and Policy has analyzed how public agencies responsible for children decide whether and how to disclose information to other agencies and to reporters. This research, performed for and supported by the Abell Foundation, investigates recent changes to Maryland state law that allow increased information sharing between social service, juvenile justice, and law enforcement agencies.  It also explores the unauthorized release of confidential information to the media.

The final report, entitled Confidentiality Laws: Protections for Kids or Cloak of Secrecy for Agencies?, was released in May 2010. It outlines the research described above and makes  recommendations as to how to best balance privacy with public safety.