H.F. No. 4793 Summary

• Mandatory reporters (professionals in healing arts, social services, education, law enforcement, and clergy) must immediately report known or suspected child maltreatment to local welfare agencies or police.

• Corporations, schools, nonprofits, religious organizations, and similar entities are prohibited from having any policies that prevent or discourage mandatory or voluntary reporters from reporting suspected child maltreatment.

• A person who intentionally prevents or attempts to prevent a mandatory reporter from reporting child maltreatment is guilty of a misdemeanor.

• Existing criminal penalties remain in place: mandatory reporters who fail to report face misdemeanor charges, and those failing to report multiple victims face gross misdemeanor charges.

• Parents, guardians, or caretakers who fail to report serious danger to a child's health face gross misdemeanor or felony charges depending on whether the child suffers bodily harm or dies.