SB161 HFAT Miley 3-10

    Committee Substitute for S.B. 161–- “A BILL to amend and reenact §49-6A-1, §49-6A-2, §49-6A-8 and §49-6A-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to mandatory reporting of abuse and neglect of children; adding promoting adult responsibility and prevention to the purpose; adding certain persons to the mandatory reporting list for all abuse or neglect of children; creating a requirement that certain adults report sexual abuse of children when observed or when received credible reports; allowing for exceptions; requiring law enforcement who receive a report of sexual abuse to alert the Department of Health and Human Resources; encouraging law-enforcement agencies to coordinate in investigating a report; increasing the criminal penalties for failure to report; creating a crime and criminal penalties for all adults who fail to report sexual abuse of children; and requiring and amending certain educational programs and trainings.

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