Researcher: JC Page 1 3/28/22
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5152
AN ACT EXTENDING THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR
FAILURE TO MAKE A REPORT AS A MANDATED REPORTER AND
REQUIRING CERTAIN YOUTH CAMP STAFF MEMBERS TO BE
MANDATED REPORTERS.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a three-year criminal statute of limitations for
prosecuting a mandated reporter for failure to report suspected child
abuse or neglect as required on or after July 1, 2022. Under current law,
the statute of limitations is either one or five years, depending on the
circumstances.
By law, failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect is a class A
misdemeanor if a mandated reporter fails to report within the
prescribed time period, and a class E felony if the (1) violation is a
subsequent violation; (2) violation is willful, intentional, or due to gross
negligence; or (3) mandated reporter had actual knowledge that a child
was abused or neglected or a student was the victim of sexual assault.
Currently, these class A misdemeanors have a one-year statute of
limitations, while the class E felonies have a five-year statute of
limitations.
The bill also adds volunteer youth camp directors or assistant
directors and paid or volunteer staff members age 18 or older to the
statutory list of mandated reporters of suspected child abuse and
neglect. By law, paid youth camp directors or assistant directors are
already mandated reporters.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2022
COMMITTEE ACTION
Committee on Children 2022HB-05152-R000125-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JC Page 2 3/28/22
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 13 Nay 0 (03/10/2022)