This bill amends the reporting requirements for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) regarding suspected child abuse, neglect, or crime. It mandates that the DHHS must immediately verbally report any such complaints directly to an on-duty law enforcement officer in the relevant community, rather than simply referring the case. The bill also specifies that the DHHS must provide a written report to law enforcement within 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, and clarifies that law enforcement should not rely on the DHHS for information unless required by established investigation protocols. Additionally, the bill expands the definitions of abuse and neglect, replacing terms like "sexually molested" with more specific language regarding sexual contact and injury. Furthermore, the bill grants law enforcement personnel and trained caseworkers the right to enter public places, such as schools and childcare agencies, to interview children without needing parental consent if there is reasonable belief of abuse or neglect. The changes aim to enhance the immediate response to suspected child abuse cases and improve collaboration between DHHS and law enforcement. The bill is expected to incur additional costs for the DHHS due to the need for more staff and changes in operational procedures, with estimated expenditures increasing significantly over the next few years.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 169-C:38
As Amended by the House: 169-C:38