Gov. Kathy Hochul will have a difficult decision to make before the end of the year when it comes to ending anonymous child abuse reporting.

The aim of A.66/S.550 is simple – spend less time investigating child abuse complaints that end up having no merit and save parents whose children aren’t in danger the embarrassment and social stigma that comes CPS investigations that didn’t need to happen in the first place. The greatest share of meritless complaints, state officials and supporters of A.66/S.550 say, come from anonymous complaints to the state’s Child Abuse Registry. Concerns were raised by Assembly Republicans about valid cases that are brought anonymously that may not be investigated if Hochul signs the legislation – though Andrew Hevesi, D-Forest Hills, said during floor debate that the amended version of his bill requires a hotline caller to be transferred to a supervisor if they refuse to attach a name to their complaint. The supervisor is required to explain that state and local governments are required to keep their information confidential, unless ordered otherwise by a judge. If the caller still refuses to give their contact information, the supervisor would be required to direct them to local services — including 911 if there’s an active emergency or a separate state hotline that connects families in need with food, housing and other services.

Hochul can either approve the bill, veto the bill or negotiate changes to the bill with legislators that can be approved in 2026 in a chapter amendment. We’d prefer a chapter amendment that takes an additional step toward making sure valid calls don’t slip through the cracks.

That’s the aspect of this bill that we struggle with. Too often the CPS investigation system doesn’t do enough to protect children. Everyone has heard the stories of children who show definite signs of abuse who aren’t removed from abusive or neglectful homes. Once again, as we deal with child protection, our lawmakers are approaching the change not from the eyes of abused children but from the perspective of eliminating false reports. A.66/S.550 is a step forward in protecting those who find themselves in situations where someone is using CPS as a weapon – and it accomplishes that goal. We’re as convinced that ending anonymity protects children in situations where someone faces harm by giving their name even if the complainant’s name is supposed to be protected. A.66/S.550 protects adults. It could do more to protect children.