Senate advances stiffer penalties for false child-abuse reports

The Oregon Senate passed Senate Bill 385 on final reading, raising penalties for knowingly making false reports of child abuse.

Senator Thatcher, presenting the bill on the floor, said the measure targets malicious false reporting that often arises in custody and domestic disputes. "This bill is aimed at people maliciously and intentionally making false reports of child abuse," Thatcher said, adding the intent is not to penalize good-faith or mistaken reporters.

SB 385 would treat a first offense as a class B misdemeanor, a second as a class A misdemeanor and a third or subsequent offense as a class C felony. Thatcher told colleagues the bill is intended to deter repeated false allegations that can "devastate and ruin" families and divert resources from legitimate child-abuse investigations. The bill passed after the clerk recorded a constitutional majority on final passage; the clerk announced 27 ayes and noted Senators Hayden, Patterson and Star were excused.

The measure’s sponsor emphasized the bill is not aimed at mandated reporters or those acting in good faith. "This bill is not intended to hurt people making good faith reports or making a mistaken report or for mandatory reporters making reports based on the information they have," Thatcher said.

No amendments were recorded on the floor during third reading. The clerk declared Senate Bill 385 passed after the roll call.

Votes at a glance: the clerk reported 27 ayes on final passage; Hayden, Patterson and Star were excused.