Within 30 days after a child is ruled a dependent child and placed in the care of the Department of Child Safety, the department must place a security freeze on the child's credit report or record, which stays until the child turns 16, when the child may choose to keep or remove it.
Official title: DCS; credit freeze; reporting
- September 12, 2026
What changes
-
NowWithin 30 days after a child is adjudicated (ruled by a court to be) a dependent child and placed in the department's care, the Department of Child Safety must place a security freeze on the child's credit report or record.
-
NowA freeze placed by the department stays in effect until the child turns 16. At 16, the child may choose to keep the freeze or have it removed.
-
NowThe department must notify the child's parent or guardian when a freeze is placed. When the child leaves department custody, it must tell them the freeze is still in place and explain how to remove it.
BeforeThe credit freeze law covered people under 16 at the time of the request, and incapacitated or protected people with a guardian or conservator.
NowThe law also covers any child in the care of the Department of Child Safety. Credit reporting agencies may not charge a fee to place or remove these freezes.
Who it affects
- Children who are ruled dependent and placed in the care of the Department of Child Safety
- Parents and guardians of those children
- Department of Child Safety
- Consumer reporting (credit) agencies
What you need to do
Nothing. A child who reaches 16 may choose whether to keep or remove the freeze, and parents or guardians will receive information on how to remove it when the child leaves department care.
What the law doesn't answer
- Whether the freeze requirement applies to children already in department care before the law takes effect
- How a child who turns 16 tells the credit agency or department whether to keep or remove the freeze
- Who removes the freeze if a child leaves department care before age 16
- Whether any money is provided to the department to carry this out
- What happens if the department misses the 30-day deadline
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.