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)) 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.