Rep. Jim Nash advances bill to standardize mandated reporter training

Rep. Jim Nash, sponsor of House File 1346, asked the Children and Families Committee to re-refer the bill to the Human Services Finance and Policy Committee, saying the measure would "bring a higher level of detail to the training, provide a greater level of standardization." The motion to re-refer passed by voice vote.

The bill would change the content and detail of training for mandated reporters'1teachers, childcare providers, health-care workers, law enforcement and social service professionals'to increase the time devoted to recognizing signs of maltreatment and to require that training be informed by professionals with expertise in child maltreatment. "Of the 45 minute training, only two-three minutes were dedicated to recognizing signs of maltreatment," said Melissa DeBilsen, executive director of Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota, who testified in support.

Supporters said better-trained mandated reporters can identify abuse and neglect earlier. DeBilsen told the committee the current online training sometimes contradicted state law by suggesting reporters must be certain of maltreatment rather than having "reason to believe," and argued the state should require more expert input into course content. She urged that at least half of any training be devoted to recognizing signs of maltreatment and that subject-matter experts such as child abuse pediatricians, attorneys and social workers help design the curriculum.

Committee staff clarified a scope point raised during questions: the bill, as drafted in the section discussed, does not require all mandated reporters to complete the revised training. "This section does not require mandated reporters to complete or undergo training. It requires training to be offered to mandated reporters," a department staff member told the committee, answering a question about whether the measure expands who must take training or only changes content.

Members praised the bipartisan interest in the subject and the personal testimony from Rep. Nash, who described his own experience as a child and said the bill grew from repeated conversations with the Department of Children, Youth and Families and advocacy groups. After public testimony closed, Rep. Nash renewed his motion to re-refer House File 1346 to the Human Services Finance and Policy Committee. The chair called the voice vote and the motion "prevailed." The record does not include a roll-call tally.

The bill will move next to the Human Services Finance and Policy Committee for further consideration and any fiscal analysis.