The proposed bill, General Assembly Proposed Bill No. 258, seeks to amend current statutes to designate providers of reproductive health care and reproductive counseling as mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. This change aims to enhance the protection of children by ensuring that a broader range of health care professionals are legally obligated to report any suspected cases of abuse or neglect.

Additionally, the bill introduces financial penalties for those providers who fail to comply with the mandatory reporting requirements. This measure is intended to reinforce the importance of safeguarding children and to hold health care providers accountable for their role in identifying and reporting potential abuse or neglect situations.