House file 13 46 would standardize mandated-reporter training; committee re-refers bill to Human Services

Rep. Jim Nash introduced House file 13 46 to the committee and renewed a motion to re-refer the bill to the Human Services Finance and Policy Committee.

Rep. Jim Nash said the bill is intended to standardize and expand training for mandated reporters across Minnesota. "I would ask that you join me in being a champion for the kids around our state that need somebody to stand up for them," Nash said, describing the proposal as an effort to provide "a higher level of detail to the training" that mandatory reporters receive.

The bill drew testimony from Melissa De Bilzin, executive director of Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota, who described child abuse as "a significant but often overlooked issue in Minnesota" and presented state data during her testimony. De Bilzin said about 5,000 children were confirmed victims of abuse in 2022 and that 21 children died that year; she also said roughly 80,000 reports of potential maltreatment were made across Minnesota counties in 2022 and that about 80% of those reports originated from mandated reporters. She said a review of the state's mandated-reporter training showed shortcomings: a 45-minute training devoted only "two-three minutes" to recognizing signs of maltreatment and material that she said misrepresented state law by suggesting reporters must be certain of maltreatment rather than having "reason to believe."

De Bilzin urged the committee to require that at least half of mandated-reporter training focus on recognizing signs of maltreatment and that training be informed by professionals with expertise in child maltreatment. "This is a simple common sense bill that can have a profound impact on protecting Minnesota's children," she said.

Committee members asked clarifying questions. Rep. Hicks asked whether the bill would limit training to "maltreatment" rather than "abuse," and Nash replied that the bill would cover "suspected maltreatment," meaning suspected abuse and neglect. Miss Sunderman, a committee staff member, clarified that the section of the bill under discussion "does not require mandated reporters to complete or undergo training. It requires training to be offered to mandated reporters," and that whether individuals are required to take such training often depends on the employing organization.

Rep. Nash and other members discussed the possibility of later proposals to require completion of training, but no requirement was added in the session recorded in the transcript. Nash renewed his motion "to re refer House file 13 46 to the Committee on Human Services' Finance and Policy." The committee approved the motion by voice vote; a roll-call tally was not specified in the record.

The bill will proceed to the Human Services Finance and Policy Committee for further consideration.