This bill amends the Child Protection Act to address the reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect. It specifies that reports to the Department may include the name, address, or phone number of the person making the report. Additionally, it warns that if a complaint is made maliciously or with the intent to harm, the complainant may be subject to criminal and civil penalties. The bill also clarifies that while individuals acting in good faith when reporting suspected abuse or neglect are immune from liability, this immunity does not extend to professional mandatory reporters who knowingly fail to report, or to any person who knowingly files a false report with malice or intent to harm.

The bill introduces new sections that establish civil and criminal liability for intentionally making false reports of abuse or neglect. It allows for civil action against those who submit false reports, seeking monetary damages and other appropriate relief. It also holds professional mandatory reporters civilly liable, including monetary damages, if they knowingly or intentionally fail to report suspected abuse or neglect. The fiscal note indicates that the bill may impact the judicial and correctional systems, but the specific fiscal impact is indeterminable. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2025. There are deletions marked in the fiscal note section, but the specific text being deleted is not provided in the summary.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 169-C:30
As Amended by the House: 169-C:30