GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 474 2020 Regular Session Freeman
TEACHERS: Provides relative to the training requirements of certain mandatory
reporters of child abuse and neglect
DIGEST
Present law requires certain persons, defined as mandatory reporters, to report to the Dept.
of Children and Family Services or to law enforcement when the person has cause to believe
that a child's physical or mental health is endangered as a result of abuse or neglect.
Present law provides for a list of persons who are defined as mandatory reporters including
"teaching or child care provider".
Present law requires the Dept. of Children and Family Services to provide training on the
statutory requirements and responsibility of reporting child abuse and neglect including the
consequences of the failure to report.
Present law requires every person graduating from any teacher preparation program in La.
to have had in his curriculum instruction on the requirements of and how to report suspected
child abuse cases pursuant to present law, as well as instruction on how to identify the signs
and symptoms of child neglect and abuse, including sexual abuse, in order to receive his
teacher certification.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that teaching or child care providers as
defined by present law are required to complete an online training course provided by the
Dept. of Children and Family Services between June first and Aug. thirty-first annually.
Proposed law further requires a record of completion of the course by the teaching or child
care provider to be provided to and retained by each entity at which the teaching or child care
provider is employed, and requires the entity to retain a list of those teaching or child care
providers who have not complied with the proposed law training requirements.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends Ch.C. Art. 603.1)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the
original bill:
1. Change time line for completion of required training from within the first two
weeks of each new school year to between June first and Aug. thirty-first
annually.
2. Make proposed law effective upon signature by the governor or lapse of time
for gubernatorial action.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
engrossed bill
1. Make usage of term "teaching and child care provider" consistent throughout
the bill.
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Prepared by Jeanne Johnston.