What's happening
This bill requires professionals and officials mandated to report child abuse in New York to complete training every three years.
Why it matters
Strengthens accountability for mandated reporters. By requiring child abuse reporting training every three years, the bill aims to ensure that professionals stay current on best practices and legal obligations, reducing the likelihood of missed or mishandled reports due to outdated knowledge.
Expands ongoing education beyond initial licensure. Previously, many professionals only had to take such training once, when first licensed or certified. This change recognizes that ongoing, repeated education is necessary given evolving standards, new research, and legal updates.
Applies to a wide range of fields and roles. The recurring training requirement covers various professions—healthcare providers, teachers, social workers, school administrators, and others—broadening the impact and helping to create a more vigilant and informed network of mandated reporters.
Aims for consistent, high-quality training statewide. By specifying that approved entities (like the Office of Children and Family Services or the Department of Education) oversee the content and delivery of the training, the bill seeks to ensure uniform standards and allow for flexible, accessible formats (such as online courses).
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Mandate Child Abuse Training
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Child Abuse Training
In Senate Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Roxanne J. Persaud
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6476
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 7, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. RICHARDSON -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law and the social services law, in relation to coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of suspected cases of child abuse and maltreatment
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph a of subdivision 3 of section 6507 of the education law, as amended by chapter 554 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows:
a. Establish standards for preprofessional and professional education, experience and licensing examinations as required to implement the article for each profession. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commissioner shall establish standards requiring that all persons applying, on or after January first, nineteen hundred ninety-one, initially, or for the renewal of, a license, registration or limited permit to be a physician, chiropractor, dentist, registered nurse, podiatrist, optometrist, psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed master social worker, licensed clinical social worker, licensed creative arts therapist, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed mental health counselor, licensed psychoanalyst, dental hygienist, licensed behavior analyst, or certified behavior analyst assistant shall, in addition to all the other licensure, certification or permit requirements, and every three years thereafter, have completed two hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. The coursework or training shall be obtained from an institution or provider which has been approved by the department to provide such coursework or training. The coursework or training shall include information regarding the physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse and maltreatment and the statutory reporting requirements set out in sections four hundred thirteen through four hundred twenty of
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00789-01-9
A. 6476 2
the social services law, including but not limited to, when and how a report must be made, what other actions the reporter is mandated or authorized to take, the legal protections afforded reporters, and the consequences for failing to report. Such coursework or training may also include information regarding the physical and behavioral indicators of the abuse of individuals with [mental retardation and other] developmental disabilities and voluntary reporting of abused or neglected adults to the office [of mental retardation and] for people with developmental disabilities or the local adult protective services unit. Each applicant shall provide the department with documentation showing that he or she has completed the required training. The department shall provide an exemption from the child abuse and maltreatment training requirements to any applicant who requests such an exemption and who shows, to the department's satisfaction, that there would be no need because of the nature of his or her practice for him or her to complete such training;
§ 2. Subdivision 4 of section 3003 of the education law, as amended by chapter 737 of the laws of 1992, is amended to read as follows:
4. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commissioner shall require that any person applying, on or after January first, nineteen hundred ninety-one, for a superintendent's certificate shall, in addition to all the other requirements, and every three years thereafter, have completed two hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. The coursework or training shall be obtained from an institution or provider which has been approved by the department to provide such coursework or training. The coursework or training shall include information regarding the physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse and maltreatment and the statutory reporting requirements set out in sections four hundred thirteen through four hundred twenty of the social services law, including but not limited to, when and how a report must be made, what other actions the reporter is mandated or authorized to take, the legal protections afforded reporters, and the consequences for failing to report. Each applicant shall provide the department with documentation showing that he or she has completed the required training.
§ 3. Subdivision 2 of section 3004 of the education law, as amended by chapter 737 of the laws of 1992, is amended to read as follows:
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commissioner shall prescribe regulations requiring that all persons applying, on or after January first, nineteen hundred ninety-one, for a certificate or license to be a teacher shall, in addition to all the other certification or licensure requirements, and every three years thereafter, have completed two hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. The coursework or training shall be obtained from an institution or provider which has been approved by the department to provide such coursework or training. The coursework or training shall include information regarding the physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse and maltreatment and the statutory reporting requirements set out in sections four hundred thirteen through four hundred twenty of the social services law, including but not limited to, when and how a report must be made, what other actions the reporter is mandated or authorized to take, the legal protections afforded reporters, and the consequences for failing to report. Each applicant shall provide the department with documentation showing that he or she has completed the required training.
A. 6476 3
§ 4. Section 413 of the social services law is amended by adding a new subdivision 1-a to read as follows:
1-a. (a) Every person and official required to report child abuse or maltreatment, pursuant to subdivision one of this section, shall, prior to assumption of the position which requires such reporting, and every three years thereafter, complete two hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment; provided that every person and official holding such a position on or before the effective date of this paragraph shall complete such coursework or training within one year of the effective date of this subdivision.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by the education law, the office of children and family services shall approve and/or establish the coursework and training required to implement the provisions of this subdivision. Such coursework and training may be developed so that it can be offered through various means including, but not limited to, internet based courses and teleconferences.
§ 5. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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