2018 Senate Bill 874

Increase penalties in child abuse reporting mandate

Introduced in the Senate

Feb. 27, 2018

Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R-24)

To increase the penalties in a law that requires certain health care professionals, social workers and other specified professionals to report suspected child abuse and neglect. The maximum penalty for a covered individual who “knowingly” fails to file a required report would increase from 93 days in jail to one year, with fines rising from $500 to $1,000.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

March 1, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

March 14, 2018

Passed in the Senate 34 to 1 (details)

To increase the penalties in a law that requires certain health care professionals, social workers and other specified professionals to report suspected child abuse and neglect. The maximum penalty for a covered individual who is a professional and “knowingly” fails to file a required report would increase from 93 days in jail to two years, and one year for a person who is a volunteer, with fines rising from $500 to $5,000 for professionals and $1,000 for volunteers.

Received in the House

March 15, 2018

Referred to the Committee on Law and Justice

May 23, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

May 24, 2018

Passed in the House 107 to 2 (details)

To increase the penalties in a law that requires certain health care professionals, social workers and other specified professionals to report suspected child abuse and neglect, subject to 93 days in jail for failure to do so. Under the bill the penalty for a second offense would be up to a year in jail, and four years for a subsequent offense. Fine for second and subsequent offenses would increase from $500 to $5,000 and $15,000, respectively.

Received in the Senate

May 29, 2018