The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 431 concerning immunity for reports of suspected abuse or neglect sponsored by Rep. Steuerwald. The bill provides immunity from civil and criminal liability to a person who assists with or participates and a health care provider who provides professional intervention; in an investigation by DCS resulting from a report that a child may be a victim of child abuse or neglect. It also provides that immunity provisions do not apply to actions brought against qualified health care providers for medical malpractice or for a person who has acted with gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.
The bill was amended to provide immunity for reports of animal abuse if seen by the caseworkers or others investigating reports of child abuse in the home. The bill passed committee as amended 9-0.
Read the bill at. http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2018/bills/senate/431