FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6600

                                   C 87 L 88

BYSenators Pullen, Talmadge, Rinehart and Saling

Revising provisions relating to child abuse reporting by public employees.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

House Committe on Human Services

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

By law, some public employees have a duty to report abuse or neglect of children, adult dependents, or developmentally disabled persons.  The duty to report arises when there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect.  When a legal action is brought against the public employee for failure to report abuse or neglect the public employee must personally bear the cost of legal defense.

SUMMARY:

Public employers shall bear the expense of legal defense for employees who act in good faith and without gross negligence in their duty to report abuse or neglect of children or adult dependents or developmentally disabled persons.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    47     0

      House 98   0

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1988