Rep. Josh Williams Introduces Kei'mani's Law to Strengthen Ohio's Child Protection System

COLUMBUS, OH - State Representative Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) today announced the introduction of Kei'Mani's Law, legislation aimed at improving how Ohio identifies, tracks, and responds to cases of child abuse and neglect.

Kei'Mani's Law establishes stronger accountability and communication standards across schools, child services agencies, courts, and law enforcement to ensure no report of abuse or neglect falls through the cracks.

"This legislation is about making sure government agencies are working together to protect children," said Rep. Williams. "When critical information is siloed or delayed, kids suffer. Kei'mani's Law is designed to close those gaps and save lives."

The legislation includes the following key provisions:

• Requires every public school to appoint a child protection liaison responsible for managing and coordinating cases of suspected child abuse or neglect involving enrolled students.
• Expands the records required in the Uniform Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) to include real-time notifications and clearly defined response deadlines.
• Requires public children services agencies (PCSAs) to enter reports of child abuse or neglect into SACWIS immediately, rather than at a later time.
• Mandates automatic notification of appropriate entities when a PCSA enters a report into SACWIS.
• Requires SACWIS case records to be updated at least bi-weekly and remain active until statutory conditions are met.
• Expands access to SACWIS, for limited statutory purposes, to juvenile courts, law enforcement agencies, and child protection liaisons, and allows PCSAs to share SACWIS information with criminal courts upon request.
• Ensures all SACWIS data complies with applicable state and federal privacy and security standards.
• Requires the Ohio Department of Children and Youth to provide mandatory training on SACWIS access and use, as well as comprehensive child protection process training for school-based child protection liaisons.
• Requires quarterly reports to the General Assembly certifying compliance with SACWIS requirements and providing performance updates.

The legislation is named in honor of Kei'mani Latigue, whose tragic death exposed serious failures in communication and oversight within the child protection system. Senator Darnell Brewer (D-Cleveland) is Rep. Williams' Joint Sponsor.

The bill awaits a number and committee assignment.