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;
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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
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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;
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Removes victim's advocates from the list of professions required to report child abuse or neglect;
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Prohibits reports based solely on a family's race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or disability; and
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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
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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.
