ENROLLED
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ACT No. 163
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.
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
(b) Each mandatory reporter may obtain mandatory reporting training as21
each mandatory reporter believes to be necessary in accordance with Subparagraph22
(a) or (d) of this Paragraph.23 ENROLLEDHB NO. 557
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(c) The appropriate state regulatory department, board, commission, or1
agency for each category of mandatory reporter may provide continuing education2
credit for the completion of the training pursuant to this Paragraph.3
(d) Any entity, including but not limited to hospitals, educational and4
religious institutions, and nonprofits, may provide its employees, volunteers, or5
educational attendees with equivalent training pursuant to Subparagraph (a) of this6
Paragraph.7
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SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: