Requires certain persons and officials, teachers, superintendents and certain professionals to complete training in reporting cases of suspected child abuse

Section two would require persons applying for a superintendent's certificate to complete two and a half additional hours of coursework or training at least once every two years on child abuse and maltreatment.

Section three would require each school district to include within existing training to mandated reporters information about the signs and symptoms which may indicate child abuse or maltreatment.

Section four would require persons applying for a teacher's certificate to complete two and a half additional hours of coursework or training at least once every two years on child abuse and maltreatment.

Section five would require persons seeking endorsement of a foreign teachers certificate or diploma to complete two and a half additional hours of coursework or training at least once every two years on child abuse and maltreatment.

Section six and seven would require persons seeking endorsement of a foreign teachers certificate or diploma to complete two and a half additional hours of coursework or training at least once every two years on child abuse and maltreatment.

Section eight would set forth the training requirements for those licensed under the education law who are also mandated reporters, including two hours prior to licensing and two and a half hour every two years thereafter. It also allows the Department of Education to develop a training curriculum regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment which may be offered through various means including internet and teleconferences, but provides that such training curriculum shall be approved by the Office of Children and Family Services and that, shall the Education Department fail to establish a curriculum they shall use the OCFS curriculum.

Section nine would provides the same educational and continuing education requirements for those professional specifically named in section 6507 of the education law. Section ten would require the superintendent of the Division of the State Police to develop and provide training to all current and new employees who are likely to come in contact with children regarding the identification and investigation of child abuse and maltreatment and any protocols regarding the investigation of suspected child abuse and maltreatment jointly with local departments of social services;

Section eleven would require the Municipal Police Training Council, under the auspice of the Division of Criminal Justice Services to include within existing mandated reporter training information regarding the identification and investigation of child abuse and maltreatment and any protocols regarding the investigation of suspected child abuse and maltreatment jointly with local departments of social services;

Section twelve would require all hospitals to develop and provide training to all current and new employees who regularly assess injuries in children regarding the identification of child abuse and maltreatment.

Section thirteen would provide for an effective date of 120 days after enactment provided that appropriate regulations and rules have been amended or repealed.

Effects of present law which this bill would alter

This bill would add §413(1-a) to the Social Services Law, amends §3003(4), §3209-a, §3004(2), the closing paragraph of §3007, §6501, §6502, §6502-a, §6507(3) of the Education Law, amends §214-a and §840(1)(j) of the Executive Law and amends §2805-n of the Public Health Law.

Justification

At four public hearings held by the assembly, participants highlighted a major concern. Reports to the state central register by mandated reporters, such as doctors and teachers were being rejected because they did not satisfy the requirements established by the state central register.

This bill would require that certain mandated reporters, who are likely to encounter children in the course of their professional duties, receive enhanced training on the identification of child abuse and the requirements for reporting such abuse. The training would be provided by entities that already provide mandated reporter training on the process and requirements for reporting child abuse and maltreatment including the Office of Children and Family Services, hospitals, school districts, and state and local police.

Prior legislative history

2006: A11151-a amended on third reading; substituted by s7660a and passed Assembly; Vetoed (memo 339)

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

None.

Effective date

120 days after enactment.