S.B. No. 323 Summary

• Expands mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect by broadening the definition of "health care professional" to include additional practitioners and modifying reporting standards for multiple health care professionals.

• Establishes new procedures for clerics to report child abuse or neglect when the perpetrator is another cleric or religious official from the same organization, with limited exceptions for cleric-penitent confidentiality.

• Requires public children services agencies to provide written notice to out-of-home care facilities (including non-chartered schools) of abuse or neglect allegations and investigation dispositions within specified timeframes.

• Mandates public children services agencies to share investigation findings regarding child fatalities and licensure applicants with the health department, superintendent of public instruction, and department of job and family services, with protections for reporter confidentiality.

• Creates enhanced penalties for failure to report child abuse or neglect, increasing severity to a misdemeanor of the first degree when the child is under the direct care or supervision of the person who fails to report.