IN HB1188

Moves mandatory child abuse and neglect reporting requirements from Title 31 (Family Law) to Title 35 (Criminal Law) of the Indiana Code, consolidating these provisions under a new Chapter 6 titled "Reporting Child Abuse"

Requires any person who has reason to believe a child may be a victim of abuse or neglect to immediately make a verbal report to the Department of Child Services or local law enforcement

Defines "victim of child abuse or neglect" to include children with serious physical/mental impairment from parental neglect, victims of sexual offenses (rape, criminal deviate conduct, child molestation involving touching), children born with fetal alcohol syndrome or controlled substances in their system, and children who are abandoned, cruelly confined, or deprived of education

Establishes that staff members of institutions, schools, or agencies must notify the individual in charge after making a report, and that person must also ensure a report is made

Creates a Class B misdemeanor penalty for knowingly failing to make a required report of child abuse or neglect