44CDisclosure of information to parent, guardian or carer

44C Disclosure of information to parent, guardian or carer

[Section 44C Inserted by No. 53 of 2016, s. 17, Applied:29 Nov 2017]

(1)  [Section 44C Subsection (1) amended by S.R. 2018, No. 26, Applied:01 Jul 2018] The Commissioner, or the Secretary of the responsible Department in relation to the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997 , may disclose to the parent, guardian or carer of a child that a person who has reportable contact with the child is a reportable offender, if the Commissioner, or the Secretary, considers on reasonable grounds that it is necessary and appropriate for the purpose of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of a child or children.

(2)  If, under subsection (1) , the Commissioner makes a disclosure of information to a parent, guardian or carer of a child, or chooses not to make such a disclosure, no civil or criminal liability attaches to the Commissioner or the State by reason of the disclosure, or non-disclosure, of that information.

(3)  If, under subsection (1) , the Commissioner makes a disclosure of information to a parent, guardian or carer of a child, or chooses not to make such a disclosure, that disclosure, or non-disclosure, of information is not to be regarded –

(a) as a breach of any duty of confidentiality or secrecy imposed by law; or

(b) as a breach of professional ethics or standards or as unprofessional conduct.

(4)  In disclosing information to a parent, guardian or carer of a child under subsection (1) , the Commissioner or the Secretary must inform the parent, guardian or carer, in writing, of his or her obligations under section 44D to keep that information secret.