Vermont's chief superior judge says he believes a child protection bill awaiting Governor Peter Shumlin's signature will help courts respond better to child abuse cases by providing them with more complete information.
Current law allows judges hearing child-protection cases to hear just from state's attorneys and other lawyers in the case.
The new bill allows courts to seek information directly from the Department for Children and Families, whose social workers are on the front lines of child protection.
Judge Brian Grearson says that will allow judges to have a more comprehensive picture.
It is one of several changes in a bill lawmakers agreed to make in response to the alleged abuse deaths last year of two young children who had been under state supervision.
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