WI AB412

County child welfare departments must refer all reports of threatened or suspected child abuse to law enforcement within 12 hours, expanding beyond the current requirement that only applies to sexual abuse and trafficking cases

Child welfare department employees whose duties include direct interaction with children or handling child welfare cases are added as mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect

"Social worker" under mandatory reporter requirements is clarified to mean individuals holding a social worker certificate from the Marriage and Family Therapy Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board

"Abuse" under current law includes non-accidental physical injuries, sexual abuse, trafficking, manufacturing methamphetamine in a child's presence, and untreated emotional damage