This bill amends the Child Protection Act to enhance the reporting and accountability measures regarding suspected child abuse and neglect. It allows reports to include the name, address, or phone number of the person making the report, and it establishes that individuals making malicious reports with the intent to harm may face civil and criminal penalties. Additionally, the bill specifies that mandatory reporters who fail to report suspected abuse or neglect may be held civilly liable. The new legal language inserted into the law includes provisions for civil and criminal penalties for malicious reporting and clarifies the liability of mandatory reporters who do not fulfill their reporting obligations.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section that explicitly prohibits making false statements of suspected child abuse or neglect with malicious intent, subjecting violators to civil and criminal liability. It also allows individuals harmed by such false reports to seek monetary damages through civil action. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2026. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen the integrity of the reporting process while holding individuals accountable for false claims and failures to report.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 169-C:30