Willmott (HB 557) Act No. 163
With respect to child abuse, new law establishes training for all mandatory reporters, as
defined by existing law, to familiarize these reporters with their legal mandate for reporting
suspected child abuse and neglect.
New law specifies that the training is to 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.
New law provides that each mandatory reporter may obtain mandatory reporting training as
each mandatory reporter believes to be necessary.
New 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.
New 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.
Effective August 1, 2013.
(Adds Ch. C. Art. 609(A)(3))