Privacy protections for children's care records get a firm effective date under Ontario's child welfare law

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

Three provisions that were previously passed but held pending proclamation now have a confirmed effective date. The changes restrict how child welfare societies and other prescribed entities may use or disclose personal information collected while a person was receiving care under a youth agreement or was a child in need of protection. Societies and prescribed persons or entities must not use or share that information unless a specific exception applies, such as the individual's consent, a court order, or a prescribed purpose. Regulation-making authority is also now in force, allowing the government to set additional procedures, restrictions, and prohibitions around handling this category of sensitive records. Organizations that collect or hold this type of information should review their data-use and disclosure practices to ensure they comply before the provisions take effect.

Who this affects: child welfare societies · prescribed persons and entities under the Act · service providers handling children's care records · individuals who received care under youth agreements or child protection proceedings