FORTY-SEVEN STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HAVE ESTABLISHED CENTRAL REGISTERS. HOWEVER, NEARLY ALL OF THE REGISTERS HAVE FAILED TO FULFILL THEIR STATED DIAGNOSTIC, MONITORING, AND STATISTICAL FUNCTIONS. PROBLEMS RELATE TO INSUFFICIENT STAFFING, INCOMPLETE AND INACCURATE RECORDS, ONE-DIMENSIONAL STATISTICAL REPORTS, FRAGMENTED AND COMPLICATED REPORTING PROCEDURES, ABSENCE OF UPDATED OR FOLLOWUP REPORTS, AND MATTERS OF CONFIDENTIALITY. A PARTICULARLY CONTROVERSIAL ASPECT OF THE CONFIDENTIALITY PROBLEM ARISES WHEN CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO OPENING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT RECORDS TO ADMINISTRATORS, LEGISLATORS, AND RESEARCHERS FOR USE IN PLANNING, MONITORING, AUDITING, EVALUATING, AND/OR CONDUCTING RESEARCH. THERE SHOULD BE PROVISIONS TO ENSURE THAT DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IN CHILD PROTECTION RECORDS IS LIMITED TO SITUATIONS IN WHICH THE NEED TO KNOW IS ESSENTIAL TO THE PURPOSE. PERSONS LISTED IN THE REGISTER SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO REVIEW THE CONTENTS OF THEIR RECORD. THERE SHOULD BE PROVISION FOR CRIMINAL AND CIVL LIABILITY FOR THE UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IN THE REGISTER. AS A RESEARCH TOOL, THE CENTRAL REGISTER CAN HELP TO DETERMINE THE INCIDENCE OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN A STATE OR COMMUNITY AND THE IMPACT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREATMENT. PROPERLY DESIGNED AND OPERATED, THE REGISTER CAN BE AN IMPORTANT TOOL IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)