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Committee weighs tougher penalties for knowingly false child-abuse reports amid concerns about chilling legitimate reports
Summary
SB 1579 would elevate penalties for knowingly filing false child-abuse reports. Sponsor Sen. Thatcher said harsher penalties deter weaponized false allegations; defenders and some senators warned the change could chill legitimate reports by domestic-violence survivors and urged prosecutorial safeguards.
Senators heard competing testimony on SB 1579, a measure to raise penalties for knowingly false reports of child abuse. The bill would upgrade the offense from a class A violation to a class B misdemeanor, increase penalties for repeat conduct, and make the offense a felony for multiple prior convictions.
Sponsor Sen. Kim…
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