Rep. Westseeks law to require parental education on infant abuse signs at first well visit

Representative Megan West told the committee House File 953 would require that parents receive information on recognizing signs of abuse in infants at the child's first well visit. She said the bill was drafted with input from the Minnesota Hospital Association and the Department of Health to minimize burdens on providers.

Several parents who said their infants were harmed at the same child-care center described discovering bruises and other injuries and urged the committee to pass the education requirement. "A lot of parents, including us, did not know that any bruising on an infant that's not walking is not normal," Megan West told the committee. Testimony from Suzanne Dickerson described photographing bruises and seeking emergency care; Janice DeGanda and Crystal McNally of Never Shake Minnesota urged the committee to adopt prevention education to reduce abusive head trauma.

Members asked why the bill prescribes a six-month window; the sponsor said the Department of Health language on the amended bill led to the six-month timing and that her aim was to avoid placing prescriptive burdens on pediatric providers. Members also discussed cameras and retention periods at childcare centers after witnesses said raids on footage in the Blaine case were complicated by short retention windows.

Representative West closed by saying she had worked with the hospital association and department to limit costs and hoped for a fiscal note showing no or minimal cost. The chair laid over House File 953 for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill or future consideration.