AB 1434 Extends Mandated Reporter Requirements to College Employees
January 4, 2012 (Sacramento) – Today Assembly Member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) joined with the Children’s Advocacy Institute to introduce legislation requiring the employees of higher education institutions to be mandated reporters, helping ensure that child abuse on college campuses is detected and reported to law enforcement. The bill responds to the shocking and tragic allegations at Penn State, where campus employees and administrators failed to report multiple claims of abuse.
“Each year, thousands of minor children spend time on California college campuses, for activities ranging from soccer tournaments to academic programs to school tours. We owe it to these kids to ensure that suspicions of child abuse are detected and reported,” said Feuer. “As we saw at Penn State, there are times when moral obligation alone isn't enough.”
Under current law, mandated reporters include child care providers, youth camp counselors, primary school employees and administrators, law enforcement employees, social workers, counselors, and medical practitioners (a complete list of mandated reporters can be found under California Penal Code Section 11165.7).
Mandated reporters must report knowledge or suspicion of child abuse to local law enforcement or to a county welfare department immediately by phone, and follow up with a written report within 36 hours. A person who fails to make a required report is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or up to a $1000 fine, or both. He or she may also be found civilly liable for damages, especially if the child-victim or another child is further victimized because of the failure to report.
“Colleges and universities are places we want our children to aspire to, not be afraid of,” said Professor Bob Fellmeth, Executive Director of the Institute. “This bill will help assure that when our children are on college and university campuses, they are safe.”
Contact: Arianna Smith, 916-319-2042
