Committee advances bill to strengthen mandated-reporter training on child maltreatment

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee recommended House File 1346 to pass and placed it on general orders after testimony from clinicians and child protection advocates urging training changes for mandated reporters.

Dr. Lisa Hollensteiner, retired emergency physician and board chair of Safe Passage for Children, testified that the state's mandated-reporter training devotes insufficient time to recognizing signs of maltreatment. "Of the 45 minutes in training, only 2 to 3 minutes was dedicated to recognizing signs of abuse," she said, describing a review that found legal guidance in existing training that conflicted with state law on reporting thresholds.

The bill would require mandated-reporter training to meet two minimum criteria, Hollensteiner said: at least half the training must focus on recognizing signs of maltreatment, and the training must be informed by professionals with expertise in child maltreatment (for example, child-abuse pediatricians, attorneys, mental-health professionals and social workers).

Committee members expressed support. Senator Roger Abler asked about the statutory reporting standard; a department witness confirmed the standard is "reason to believe." Senator Abler and others described the bill as a straightforward way to improve early detection of abuse. Senator Abler moved the bill; the committee approved it by voice vote and placed House File 1346 on general orders.

The transcript shows unanimous voice approval in committee; the bill will next appear on general orders for further floor consideration.