Brief Description: Regarding school employee duty to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Johnson, McAuliffe, Esser, Winsley, T. Sheldon, Rasmussen, Kline and Keiser).

Hearing Date: 2/23/04

Staff: Sydney Forrester (786-7120).

Background:

For the purpose of reporting suspected child abuse or neglect, certain entities are deemed to be mandatory reporters who have a statutory duty to file a report with law enforcement or with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) if they have reasonable cause to believe a child has suffered abuse or neglect. Among these mandatory reporters are "professional school personnel." This term is defined in the child abuse statute as including but not being limited to "teachers, counselors, administrators, child care facility personnel, and school nurses."

Summary of Bill:

The education code is amended to require school employees who witness or have reasonable cause to believe a child has suffered abuse or neglect to file a report with law enforcement or the DSHS.

Within existing resources, school employees must receive training upon being hired and every three years thereafter regarding their mandatory reporting duties.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on Februrary 22, 2004.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.