Summary#
Bill 42 would change two New Brunswick laws to allow certain professional regulatory bodies to receive information during investigations of their members. The change would apply to information held under the Child and Youth Well-Being Act and the Family Services Act. The bill appears intended to help regulators investigate the professional services provided by their members.
The material provided shows only the bill as introduced at first reading. It does not show that the bill has passed or taken effect.
- The Child and Youth Well-Being Act would allow disclosure to a professional regulatory body that is authorized by a separate provincial law to collect information for an investigation.
- The Family Services Act would add a similar permission.
- The information must relate to professional services provided by one of the regulatory body’s members.
- The bill makes related wording changes in the English versions of both laws.
- The source does not explain what types of information could be shared, whether notice or consent would be required, or what safeguards would apply.
What it means for you#
- Children and families: Information held under child and family services laws could potentially be shared with an eligible professional regulatory body during an investigation of one of its members.
- Professionals: A regulator investigating professional services could be able to obtain information from child and family services authorities without relying on the current disclosure permissions alone.
- Professional regulatory bodies: Regulators authorized under a separate New Brunswick law could gain a clearer legal basis to request or receive this information for investigations.
- Privacy: Personal information about children, families, or clients could be disclosed for a professional investigation. The bill does not clearly describe limits on the information shared, notice to affected people, or additional privacy protections.
- Timing: The bill was introduced on May 12, 2026. The supplied material does not show whether it passed, was amended, or started to apply.
Expenses#
No publicly available information.
The supplied bill does not identify government spending, savings, new fees, fines, or staffing requirements. It could create some administrative work for government departments and professional regulators, but no estimate is provided.
Proponents' View#
The bill appears intended to improve cooperation between child and family services authorities and professional regulators.
- A possible argument for the bill is that regulators would have better access to information needed to investigate professional services.
- The change could help regulators examine whether a member followed professional standards.
- It could reduce uncertainty about whether information may be disclosed during a regulatory investigation.
- The bill may support accountability when professional services involve children or families.
No specific statements from supporters were included in the supplied material.
Opponents' View#
- One concern is that the bill could allow sensitive information about children and families to be shared with professional regulatory bodies.
- The bill does not clearly explain whether affected people would be notified or asked for consent.
- It is unclear what information could be disclosed and whether disclosure would be limited to information directly relevant to an investigation.
- The bill does not set out additional rules for storing, protecting, or later using the information.
- A possible trade-off is that easier information sharing could support investigations but reduce privacy for people whose information is held under child and family services laws.
- The supplied material does not include a review of privacy effects, implementation details, or public costs.