This bill proposes several updates to current statutes regarding the duty to report child abuse and neglect. Notably, it modifies the existing language concerning health professionals' reporting obligations related to prenatal drug exposure by changing the designation of a subsection from E to F. Additionally, it introduces new provisions that require clergy members, Christian Science practitioners, or priests to report any knowledge or reasonable suspicion of ongoing child abuse or neglect, unless the information was obtained through a confidential communication that does not involve ongoing abuse. This change aims to clarify the circumstances under which clergy can withhold reporting.

Furthermore, the bill removes outdated language regarding the confidentiality of confessions and expands the reporting requirements to include situations where there is reasonable suspicion of ongoing or future abuse. It also clarifies that the duty to report applies to both clergy and health professionals, ensuring that they must act if they suspect ongoing harm to a child. The bill maintains the existing definitions and responsibilities while enhancing the framework for reporting child abuse and neglect, thereby strengthening protections for minors.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-201, 12-2233, 13-3620, 13-1404, 13-1405, 13-1406, 13-1410, 13-3552, 13-3553, 13-3608, 13-3212, 13-3401, 8-327, 13-501, 13-3903, 13-4261, 13-3623, 13-3601, 13-1417, 8-455, 13-706, 32-3201, 15-803, 13-3551, 13-1401, 13-1411, 13-3507, 8-521.02, 8-456, 8-471