Brief(1)
S.B. 615 amends the Code for Care of Children dealing with reporting of child abuse to require the reports be made, by persons required to report, within 48 hours after having reason to suspect the child has been injured, excluding weekends and holidays. Other changes are technical.
The Senate Committee deleted a proposed amendment that would have required persons to report child abuse who provide direct services to children through the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS).
Background
The bill was supported by a representative of SRS and others. The bill was a result of recommendations of the Kansas Child Protection Symposium sponsored by the Governor, Chief Justice, and Attorney General. The Senate Committee struck the direct services provider reporting under the rationale that this group is already included within the different categories of persons required to make these reports.
The bill has no fiscal impact on the state.
1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/fulltext-bill.html.