Requires completion of annual training by persons and officials required to report cases of suspected child abuse or maltreatment

Title of bill

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to requiring persons and officials who are required to report cases of suspected child abuse or maltreatment to complete annual training relating to identifying and reporting such abuse and maltreatment

Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that persons who are required to report suspected cases of child abuse and maltreatment remain current on appropriate training and that a record of completion of such training is maintained.

Justification

Accurate and timely reporting of suspected cases of child abuse or maltreatment is an essential element of protecting New York State's most vulnerable population. Mandatory reporters are often on the front lines in identifying instances where a child may be the victim of abuse or maltreatment. These mandatory reporters play a vital role in the protection of potential victims because they are often the first to alert a child protective service or law enforcement agency of potential abuse or maltreatment.

The certification course required in this legislation takes two hours to complete, but users have the ability to complete the required two hours over a thirty day period. Once completed, proof of such completion should be submitted either in printed or electronic form to the individual's employer. If they are self employed, the individual must maintain their own record of completion. In both instances, the record must be producible to any employee of the office of children and family services, child protective agency, or law enforcement officer engaged in the investigation of suspected child abuse or maltreatment.

The course is available at www.nysmandatedreporter.org, a site that is sponsored by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services through an agreement with the State University of New York Buffalo State Center for Development of Human Services Institute for Community Health Promotion.

Completion of this course does not constitute any burden on mandatory reporters given the course is free, available on the internet, and easily accessible from any internet-connected computer. It is not time-consuming to complete, as progress is saved at the completion of each section, allowing individuals to complete the course at their own pace over thirty days. Taking this refresher course will help to ensure that every individual whose position is recognized as a mandatory reporter of suspected child abuse or maltreatment has been recently refreshed on reporting procedures and abuse or maltreatment indicators.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately, except that subdivisions 2 and 3 of section 413-a of the social services law, as added by section two of this act, shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.