The bill introduces several key changes to child abuse and neglect reporting requirements:
Clarification of Child Abuse or Neglect:
The bill specifies that child abuse or neglect cannot be based solely on factors such as:
A parent's or child's indigence (poverty).
The unavailability of accessible services.
Unhoused status.
Disability.
Mandatory Reporter Requirements:
Reporting Timeline:
Reports of child abuse or neglect must be submitted as soon as possible, but within 24 hours of receiving the information.
For reports concerning young victims of dating violence or sexual assault, the report must be made within 72 hours.
Exceptions:
Reports are not required if the person receives information outside of their professional capacity.
Attorneys representing a party involved in a suspected child abuse or neglect case are exempt from reporting.
Exclusions:
Victim's advocates are removed from the list of mandatory reporters.
Reports cannot be made based solely on a family’s race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or disability.
Delegation Restrictions:
The duty to report cannot be delegated to someone who does not have firsthand knowledge of the suspected abuse or neglect.
Protocol for Entities Employing Mandatory Reporters:
Entity Protocols:
Entities employing mandatory reporters are authorized to develop protocols for reporting child abuse or neglect, provided these protocols comply with state laws and regulations.
Protection for Reporters:
Representatives of the employing entity are prohibited from deterring or impeding someone from filing a report.
Referral Identification Number:
Referral Number Assignment:
The county department of human or social services must assign a referral identification number to each report of child abuse or neglect.
If a mandatory reporter contacts the county department about a suspected case and receives a referral number from a previous report, they are not required to file a new written report.
These changes aim to ensure fairer reporting procedures while protecting families from unjustified reports based on socioeconomic or other non-abusive factors. The bill also provides clearer guidelines for mandatory reporters and encourages proper documentation and accountability within the system.
Summary
The bill specifies that child abuse or neglect must not be based
solely upon a parent's or child's indigence, unavailability of accessible services, unhoused status, or disability.
For mandatory reporters, the bill: •
Requires reports to be submitted as soon as possible, but within 24 hours, after receiving information of child abuse or neglect; except that reports concerning young victims of dating violence or sexual assault must be made within 72 hours;
•
Provides that reports are not required if the person: •
Receives the information outside of the person's professional capacity that would require a report; or
•
Is connected to an attorney representing a party involved in a suspected child abuse or neglect case that would require a report under current law;
•
Removes victim's advocates from the list of professions required to report child abuse or neglect;
•
Prohibits reports based solely on a family's race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or disability; and
•
Prohibits the delegation of the duty to report to a person who does not have firsthand knowledge of the suspected child abuse or neglect.
For entities that employ a mandatory reporter, the bill: •
Authorizes the entity to develop protocols for making the report if the protocols comply with state law and regulations; and
•
Prohibits representatives of the entity from deterring or impeding a person from filing a report.
The bill requires a county department of human or social services
(county department) to assign a referral identification number to each report of child abuse or neglect. If a mandatory reporter contacts a county department about a suspected child abuse or neglect report and the department gives the mandatory reporter the referral identification number of a related report that was previously filed, the mandatory reporter is not required to file a written report.
