SB1778 Summary

• Amends Illinois Police Training Act to require police officer curriculum include training on mandatory reporting requirements under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, plus training on recognizing and interacting with persons with autism and developmental disabilities.

• Restructures the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to comprehensively list 10 categories of mandated reporters (medical, social services, education, law enforcement, clergy, child care, and others) required to immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect.

• Requires mandated reporters to complete initial training within 3 months of engagement in their professional capacity and every 3 years thereafter, with medical personnel required to complete training every 6 years; training must cover recognizing abuse, reporting process, trauma-informed response, and child protective services role.

• Permits one designated reporter to file a single report when multiple mandated reporters from the same workplace share reasonable cause to believe a child is abused or neglected, provided written confirmation is given to other reporters within 48 hours.

• Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to develop culturally sensitive public awareness materials and notices in multiple languages about child abuse, neglect, and the state abuse hotline number within 6 months of enactment.