HLS 13RS-409 ENGROSSED
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE BILL NO. 557
BY REPRESENTATIVE WILLMOTT
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
CHILDREN/ABUSE: Requires training be made available for mandatory reporters
AN ACT1
To enact Children's Code Article 609(A)(3), relative to mandatory reporting of child abuse;2
to require that mandatory reporters receive training on mandatory reporting laws; to3
exempt certain nonprofit entities and hospitals; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. Children's Code Article 609(A)(3) is hereby enacted to read as follows:6
Art. 609. Mandatory and permitted reporting ; training requirements7
A. With respect to mandatory reporters:8
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(3)(a) To familiarize mandatory reporters, as defined by Children's Code10
Article 603(15), with their legal mandate for reporting suspected child abuse and11
neglect, such mandatory reporters shall be offered training on the statutory12
requirements and responsibility of reporting child abuse and neglect. This training13
shall be made available by the child welfare section of the Department of Children14
and Family Services or any other mechanism as approved by the department as long15
as it includes information on the reporting procedure and the consequences of failing16
to report.17
(b) All mandatory reporters are responsible for periodically obtaining18
mandatory reporter training.19 HLS 13RS-409 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 557
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
(c) No employee of or volunteer for an entity designated as nonprofit by the1
Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code or any2
hospital shall be required to receive any training mandated by this Paragraph if the3
nonprofit entity or hospital regularly conducts equivalent training.4
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Willmott HB No. 557
Abstract: Requires that training be made available for mandatory reporters on mandatory
reporting laws and the consequences of failing to report.
Proposed law establishes training for all mandatory reporters, as defined by present law, to
familiarize these reporters with their legal mandate for reporting suspected child abuse and
neglect. Specifies that said training must be made available by the child welfare division of
the Dept. of Children and Family Services or any other mechanism as approved by the
department as long as it includes information on the reporting procedure and consequences
of failing to report.
Proposed law specifies that all mandatory reporters are responsible for periodically obtaining
mandated reporter training.
Proposed law exempts any employee of or volunteer for an entity designated as nonprofit
by the IRS or any hospital if the nonprofit entity or hospital regularly conducts equivalent
training.
(Adds Ch. C. Art. 609(A)(3))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill.
1. Exempted from mandatory training any employee of or volunteer for an entity
designated as nonprofit by the IRS or any hospital if the nonprofit entity or
hospital regularly conducts equivalent training.