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)]
HB 335 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Carver
Abstract: Provides relative to mandatory reporters of child abuse.
Proposed law modifies the definition of "teaching or child care provider" in present law to include
school resource officers and otherwise retains present law.
Proposed law retains present law provision relative to "police officers or law enforcement officials."
Proposed law further requires any police officer or law enforcement official who works as a school
resource officer to be considered a mandatory reporter.
Proposed law does not require a school resource officer to receive information from another
mandatory reporter or commence or oversee any investigation into the report.
Proposed law revises present law provisions relative to child abuse reporting to require certain
reporters to report suspected child abuse if was a contributing factor to the death of the child to the
Dept. of Family and Children Services (DCFS) or local or state law enforcement.
Proposed law stipulates certain measures for mandatory reporters and permitted reporters to report
to the department.
Proposed law provides that if a mandatory reporter is prohibited from making an immediate report
because of employment policies, he shall be permitted to file a complaint with law enforcement.
Proposed law provides for penalties against an employer who discriminates or retaliates against an
employee who is a mandatory reporter.
(Amends Ch.C. Arts. 603(17)(d) and (e) and 610(A))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill:
1. Include school resource officers as "teaching or child care providers".
2. Require reporters to report suspected child abuse if it was a contributing factor to the
death of the child to DCFS or local or state law enforcement. 3. Stipulate certain measures for mandatory reporters and permitted reporters to report to
the department.
4. Provide that if a mandatory reporter is prohibited from making an immediate report
because of employment policies, he shall be permitted to file a complaint with law
enforcement.
5. Provide for penalties against an employer who discriminates or retaliates against
mandatory reporters.
6. Require any police officer or law enforcement official who works as a school resource
officer to be considered a mandatory reporter.
7. Do not require a school resource officer to receive information from another mandatory
reporter or commence or oversee any investigation into the report.
8. Make technical corrections.