HLS 13RS-409 REENGROSSED
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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 training be made available for mandatory reporters; to provide that a3
mandatory reporter may obtain training as the reporter deems necessary; to authorize4
state regulatory departments, boards, commissions, and agencies to offer continuing5
education credit; to authorize certain entities to provide equivalent training; and to6
provide for related matters.7
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:8
Section 1. Children's Code Article 609(A)(3) is hereby enacted to read as follows:9
Art. 609. Mandatory and permitted reporting ; training requirements10
A. With respect to mandatory reporters:11
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(3)(a) To familiarize mandatory reporters, as defined by Children's Code13
Article 603(15), with their legal mandate for reporting suspected child abuse and14
neglect, such mandatory reporters shall be offered training on the statutory15
requirements and responsibility of reporting child abuse and neglect. This training16
shall be made available by the child welfare division of the Department of Children17
and Family Services or any other mechanism as approved by the department as long18
as it includes information on the reporting procedure and the consequences of failing19
to report.20 HLS 13RS-409 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 557
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are additions.
(b) Each mandatory reporter may obtain mandatory reporting training as1
each mandatory reporter believes to be necessary in accordance with Subparagraph2
(a) or (d) of this Paragraph.3
(c) The appropriate state regulatory department, board, commission, or4
agency for each category of mandatory reporter may provide continuing education5
credit for the completion of the training pursuant to this Paragraph.6
(d) Any entity, including but not limited to hospitals, educational and7
religious institutions, and nonprofits, may provide its employees, volunteers, or8
educational attendees with equivalent training pursuant to Subparagraph (a) of this9
Paragraph.10
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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 section 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 provides that each mandatory reporter may obtain mandatory reporting
training as each mandatory reporter believes to be necessary.
Proposed law authorizes the appropriate state regulatory department, board, commission, or
agency for each category of mandatory reporter to provide continuing education credit for
the completion of the training.
Proposed law authorizes any entity, including but not limited to hospitals, educational and
religious institutions, and nonprofits, to provide its employees, volunteers, or educational
attendees with equivalent training.
(Adds Ch. C. Art. 609(A)(3)) HLS 13RS-409 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 557
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
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.
House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Made technical changes.
2. Clarified that each mandatory reporter may obtain mandatory reporting training
as each mandatory reporter believes to be necessary.
3. Authorized the appropriate state regulatory department, board, commission, or
agency for each category of mandatory reporter to provide continuing education
credit for the completion of the training.
4. Authorized any entity, including but not limited to hospitals, educational and
religious institutions, and nonprofits, to provide its employees, volunteers, or
educational attendees with equivalent training.