HB 7002 Summary

• Adds persons employed to repair cameras, computers, cellular mobile telephones, or other mobile electronic devices (age 18+) to the list of mandated reporters required to report suspected child abuse or neglect, effective October 1, 2020.

• Mandated reporters must report suspected abuse or neglect based on reasonable cause, which does not require certainty or probable cause and may be based on observations, allegations, or statements from a child, victim, or third party.

• Failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect is a Class A misdemeanor, or a Class E felony if the violation is subsequent, willful, intentional, due to gross negligence, or involves actual knowledge of abuse.

• Repair personnel who report suspected child exploitation under federal law (18 USC 2258A) instead of making a state report are not guilty of failing to report under this section.

• Secretary of State must notify domestic corporations by April 1, 2020 that repair personnel become mandated reporters on October 1, 2020.