OH HB346

Mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect must report to both a peace officer and the public children services agency, rather than just one or the other under current law

Applies to children under 18 and persons under 21 with developmental disabilities or physical impairments who have suffered or face threats of abuse or neglect

Failure to report to both entities when required is a fourth-degree misdemeanor; elevated to first-degree misdemeanor if the child under the reporter's direct care suffers harm that would have been the basis of the report

Mandatory reporters who violate the dual-reporting requirement are liable for compensatory and exemplary damages to the affected child

Law enforcement agencies must notify public children services within 48 hours of receiving abuse reports, and children services agencies must promptly notify law enforcement of abuse reports