The House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee heard HB 1164 authored by Rep. Cash on reporting of child abuse or neglect. The bill provides that staff members of a medical institution, a medical facility, or any other health care facility have a duty to report child abuse within two hours to both the department of child services (DCS) and the local law enforcement agency and that the individual’s duty is nondelegable. The bill requires that if a report alleges that a youth coach is the abuser, the department shall investigate to determine whether the school or athletic facility reasonably should have known that the abuse was happening. The bill also raises the penalty for failure to report to a Class A misdemeanor.
The bill was amended by consent to:
- Provide that certain individuals at least 18 years of age but less than 21 years of age are included in the definitions for “child”, “child abuse or neglect”, and “victim of child abuse or neglect”.
- Require the DCS to initiate an onsite assessment within 24 hours if a report alleges child abuse or neglect involving a residential facility licensed by the department.
- Remove the provision that requires DCS to investigate whether the school or athletic facility reasonably should have known abuse was happening, and requires law enforcement to investigate under certain circumstances.
- Remove the requirement that medical providers report child abuse within two hours.
Champions for Children, a student, and a child abuse forensic interviewer testified in support of the bill. Indiana University Health and a pediatrician testified about their concerns but did not take a position on the bill. The amended bill passed 13-0.
Read the bill at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2024/bills/house/1164