HB 1600 Summary

• Requires health care professionals and school personnel to report suspected child abuse or neglect to law enforcement agencies in addition to reporting to the Department of Human Services.

• Establishes that the Department of Human Services shall maintain a statewide centralized hotline for child abuse and neglect reports and electronically record referrals for 90 days.

• Makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly and willfully fail to report suspected child abuse or neglect, and a felony to fail to report with prolonged knowledge of abuse or neglect (at least 6 months).

• Prohibits employers, supervisors, or administrators from discriminating or retaliating against employees who report suspected child abuse or neglect in good faith, with liability for damages, costs, and attorney fees for violations.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2015.