SB 237 — CHILDREN: Provides relative to child welfare. (8/1/26) (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

(e) InformationThe regardingidentification priornumber departmentassigned involvement,to including:the report.

(i)(f) WhetherThe thedate child'son caretakerwhich hadthe previouslyreport beenwas reportedaccepted to the department for allegedinvestigation. child abuse or neglect of any child.

(ii)(2) WhetherThe theDepartment childof whoChildren sufferedand Family Services shall notify the nearstate fatalitychild orombudsman fatalityin hadwriting previouslywithin beenthree business days after the subjectconclusion of aan childinvestigation abuseinto a fatality or neglectnear reportfatality orof investigation.any child.

(iii)(a) WhetherWhen the child'sdetermination fatalityis orthat nearthe fatalityreport occurredis duringsubstantiated anthe activenotification childshall protectiveinclude servicesall investigationof orthe anfollowing: open family services case.

(f)(i) The identification number assigned intaketo identificationthe number.report.

(g)(ii) TheWhether datethe onperpetrator whichhad previously been reported to the reportDepartment wasof acceptedChildren and Family Services for investigation.alleged child abuse or neglect of any child.

(2)(iii) TheWhether Departmentthe ofchild Childrenhad andpreviously Familybeen Servicesthe shallsubject notifyof thea Pagechild 3abuse ofor 28neglect Coding:report or investigation.

(iv)Whetherthefatalityornearfatalityoccurredduringanactivechild Page 3 of 22 Coding:

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 stateENROLLED childprotective ombudsmanservices within three business days after the conclusion of an investigation into a fatality or nearan fatalityopen offamily anyservices childcase. when it has been determined that the death or near fatality was a result of abuse or neglect.

The(b) When the determination is that the report is inconclusive or unsubstantiated the notification shall include:include all of the following:

(a)(i) The assignedidentification intake investigation number if one had already been assigned and reported to the ombudsmanreport. or provided and indicated as new if one had not been previously provided.

(b)(ii) TheA datestatement ofthat the child'sreport deathwas ornot nearsubstantiated. fatality.

(c) The age of the child at death or near fatality.

(d) The biological sex of the child.

(e) The parish of the child's residence and parish of the child's death or near fatality, if different.

(f) Child's name, if previously made public.

(g) Circumstances surrounding the child's death.

(h)Updatedinformationregardingpriordepartmentinvolvementifsuch new information is available since the department's reporting pursuant to Subparagraph (1)(e) of this Subsection, including:

(i) Whether the child's caretaker or alleged perpetrator had previously been reportedtothedepartmentforallegedchild abuse orneglectof any child.

(ii) Whether the child who suffered the near fatality or fatality had previously been the subject of a child abuse or neglect report or investigation.

(iii) Whether the child's fatality or near fatality occurred during an active child protective services investigation or an open family services case.

(3) The Department of Children and Family Services shall notify the state child ombudsman within three business days after the conclusion of an investigationbythedepartmentintoafatalityornearfatalityofanychildwhen ithasbeendeterminedbythedepartmentthatthedeathornearfatalitywasnot a result of abuse or neglect.

The department shall provide the assigned intake identification number provided pursuant to Subparagraph (E)(1)(f) of this Page 4 of 28 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 Section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary and to the extent allowed by federal law, the state child ombudsman shall have unrestricted remoteaccesstoremoteaccesstodepartmentalcomputernetworks,including departmentalcomputernetworks,including accesstoanyand allcasemanagementsystems,databases,anddepartmentpolicyandprocedure systems, pertaining to state agencies that provide services to children through funds provided by the state.

The child ombudsman shall not have the ability to add to, edit, delete,delete,alter, reproduce, or otherwisedistribute alter any documentdata inor documentin any departments'department's system.

The child ombudsman shallmay notpublish disclosereports, thefindings, identifying information concerning an individual who initiated a report or complaintrecommendations,oraggregateorde-identifieddataderivedfrominformation ofaccessed allegedin childaccordance abusewith orthis neglectSubsection containedprovided withinthat anyno networkconfidential or casepersonalidentifyinginformationisdisclosedinviolationofstateorfederallaw. management system accessed pursuant to this Section.

TheThechildombudsmanshallnotdisclosetheidentifyinginformationconcerning ombudsmanan shall,individual uponwho request,initiated havea permissionreport toor viewcomplaint andof usealleged documentschild andabuse records,or includingneglect audiocontained andwithin videoany recordings,network relevantor tocase themanagement ombudsman'ssystem statutoryduties.accessed pursuant to this Section.

ToThe theombudsman extentshall, allowedupon byrequest, federalhave law,permission such documents and records shall include but not be limited to theview applications and caseuse filesphysical ofdocuments the Louisiana Department of Health and therecords, DepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServicesexceptforthenameandanyidentifyingincluding informationofthereporterofchildabuseorneglectandrestrictionsprovidedinTitleaudio IV-D of the Social Security Act and thevideo Internalrecordings, Revenuerelevant Code,to juvenile court judgments and court minute entries, records and reports of children in the custodyombudsman's ofstatutoryduties. or under the supervision of the office of juvenile justice, student records in the possession of the State Department of Education, any parish or city school board, and any elementary or secondary education school, including charter schools.

TheTo statechildombudsmanthe extent allowed by federal law, such documents and records shall complywithinclude anyandallrestrictionsimposedbylawonbut documents,data,orinformationconsideredconfidentialorprivilegedandfurnishednot be limited to the stateapplications childand ombudsman.case files of the Louisiana Department of Health and the DepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServicesexceptforthenameandanyidentifying informationofthereporterofchildabuseorneglectandrestrictionsprovidedinTitle IV-D of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code, juvenile court Page 4 of 22 Coding:

Page 5 of 28 Coding:

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 G.H.ENROLLED judgments and court minute entries, records and reports of children in the custody of or under the supervision of the office of juvenile justice, student records in the possession of the State Department of Education, any parish or city school board, and any elementary or secondary education school, including charter schools.

NotwithstandingThe anystatechildombudsmanshallcomplywith otheranyandallrestrictionsimposed provisionbylawon ofdocuments,data,orinformationconsideredconfidentialorprivilegedandfurnished law to the contrary, the state child ombudsmanombudsman. shall not be compelled to be a witness or be deposed in any case where the state child ombudsman is not personally a defendant.

G.H.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the state child ombudsman shall not be compelled to be a witness or be deposed in anycase where the state child ombudsman is not personally a defendant.

46:56(F)(1),44:4.1(B)(32) (2),is (8),hereby (9)(a),amended (e), and (g),reenacted and (10)(a) are hereby amendedandreenactedandR.S.46:1(7),51(17)and(18),52.2,and52.3areherebyenacted to read as follows:

§4.1.

Exceptions * * * B.Thelegislaturefurtherrecognizesthatthereexistexceptions,exemptions, and limitations to the laws pertaining to public records throughout the revised statutesandcodesofthisstate.Therefore,thefollowingexceptions,exemptions,and limitations are hereby continued in effect by incorporation into this Chapter by citation:

* * * (32) R.S.

46:56, R.S.

46:52.2, 56, 123(K), 236.1.1 through 238, 284, 286.1, 439.1,446.1,1073,1355,1806,1831.5,1844,1862,1923,2124.1,2134,2187,2356, 2416, 2597, 2603, 2625 Page 5 of 22 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

237 ENROLLED * * * Section 4.

R.S.

46:56(F)(1), (2), (8), (9)(a), (e), and (g), and (10)(a) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.

46:1(7), 51(17) and (18), and 52.2 are hereby enacted to read as follows:

* * * (7) "Near fatality"meansfatality" means an act that, as certified by thea physicianphysician, whoplaces examined the child which placed the child in serious or critical condition.

* * * (17) Establish a law enforcement liaison position for each region of the state.

EachThe law enforcement liaison shall have previous law enforcement experience and shall serve as a resource for law enforcement referrals and to facilitate joint investigations between the department and law enforcement, as necessary.

Page(18) 6Designate ofan 28employee Coding:primarily responsible for overseeing all matters regarding child fatalities and near fatalities, including but not limited tochilddeathnotificationtothestatechildombudsmaninaccordancewithR.S.

Words24:525. which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 (18) Designate the chief medical director as the employee primarily responsible for overseeing all matters regarding child fatalities and near fatalities, including but not limited to child death notification to the state child ombudsman in accordancewith R.S.

24:525 and for management of the public websiteonincidentsinvolvingachildfatalityornearfatalityinaccordancewith R.S.

46:52.2.

IncidentsCritical involvingincident fatalityreview team A.Eachchild fatalityand nearfatalitysubstantiated bythedepartment as being the result of abuse or nearneglect fatality;shall be reviewed by the critical incident review team, hereinafter referred to as the review team.

publicAny websitechild TheDepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServicesshallpromptlyprovidefatality informationor tonear fatality that was unsubstantiated by the publicdepartment regardingas abeing substantiatedthe caseresult of child abuse or neglect thatmay hasbe resultedreviewed inby athe fatalityreview orteam nearat fatalitythe ondiscretion itsof publicthe websitechair asof follows:the review team.

(1)Thedepartmentshallprovidethefollowingpreliminaryinformation:Page 6 of 22 Coding:

(a) The age, biological sex, parish, and general location of the residence of the child who has suffered a fatality or a near fatality.

(b) The fact that a child suffered a fatality or near fatality as the result of abuse or neglect.

(c) The name, city, town, or general location of the residence of the allegedperpetrator,ifavailable,unlessthedisclosurewouldviolateanyprivacy laws of this state.

(d) Whether there have been reports, or any current or past cases, of abuse or neglect involving the child or the alleged perpetrator.

(e) Actions taken by the department in response to the fatality or near fatality of the child.

(f) A detailed synopsis of prior reports or cases of abuse or neglect involving the child or the alleged perpetrator and of the actions taken or determinations made by the department in response to these reports or cases.

(2) Each fatality or near fatality shall be reviewed by a critical incident review team in accordance with R.S.

46:52.3.

Page 7 of 28 Coding:

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 (3)ENROLLED WithinB. one hundred twenty days after the date of the report for a case involving a fatality or a near fatality, the department shall provide to the public a summary report that includes any actions taken by the department in response to the case, any changes in policies or practices that have been made toaddressanyissuesraisedinthereviewofthecase,andanyrecommendations made by the critical incident review team for further changes in policies, practices, rules, or statutes to address those issues.

§52.3.The review team shall consist of the following members:

Critical(1)ThesecretaryoftheDepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServices,or incidenthis reviewdesignee. A.

Each case of child abuse or neglect received by the department that has resulted in a fatality or near fatality, whether substantiated or unsubstantiated by the department, shall be reviewed by a multidisciplinary critical incident review team as provided for in this Section.

B.

The team shall consist of the following members:

(1)ArepresentativeoftheDepartmentofChildrenand Family Services designatedbythesecretaryoftheDepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServices.

C.Thedepartmentshallprovidetothereviewteamthefollowingwithin(9)Aquality-improvementorcontinuous-improvementemployeeofthe PageDepartment 8of Children and Family Services with training in safety science or human-factors analysis appointed by the secretary of 28the Coding:department.

WordsC.(1)The whichrepresentativeof arethe struckDepartment throughof areJustice deletionsdesignated fromby existingthe law;attorney general shall serve as the chair of the review team.

words(2) inThe boldfacerepresentative typeof the chair shall direct and underscoredcoordinate aremeetings additions.of the review team.

SLS(3) 26RS-9The RE-REENGROSSEDreview SBteam NO.shall hold regular meetings at least quarterly and shall hold special meeting as determined by the chair.

237 thirty days of reaching a disposition in a fatality or near fatality case:

(1) The investigation report and all evidence collected or generated as part of the investigation of the fatality or near fatality.

(2) All prior reports of suspected abuse or neglect received by the department concerning the child, the child's caretakers, or the alleged perpetrator.

(3)All prior investigation reports concerning the child, the child's caretakers, and the alleged perpetrator.

(4)Any additional recordsrequestedbythereviewteamthatthereview team deems relevant after reviewing the materials provided in Paragraphs (1) through (3) of this Subsection.

TheEach member of the review team shall doprovide allany information created or obtained by their representative organization related to a child fatality or near fatality that is being reviewed within thirty days of being notified that the following:child fatality or near fatality is being reviewed.

(1) Evaluate means by which the death might have been prevented.

(2) Report its findings to appropriate agencies and make recommendations that may help to reduce the number of child deaths caused by abuse or neglect.

(3) Make specific recommendations to the Department of Children and Family Services of any changes in policies or practices needed to address any issues raised in the review of the case and any recommendations for further changes in policies, practices, rules, or statutes to address those issues.

The attorneyreview generalteam shall bedo responsibleall for coordinating meetings of the reviewfollowing: team.

ThePage review7 teamof shall22 holdCoding: regular meetings at least quarterly and shall hold special meetings if determined necessary by the attorney general.

F.(1) The review team, in order that it may perform its functions and duties as provided in this Section, shall have access to any information, documents, or records in the possession of the Department of Children and Family Services involving a child abuse and neglect investigations which are pertinent as decided by the review team to the alleged child abuse or neglect Page 9 of 28 Coding:

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 thatENROLLED led(1) toEvaluate themeans deathby ofwhich thea child.fatality or near fatality might have been prevented.

(2)All(2) suchReport recordsits obtainedfindings byto theappropriate reviewagencies teamand inmake accordancerecommendations withthat themay provisionsofthisSubsection,shallbeconfidentialandshallnotbeavailableforhelp subpoena nor shall such information be disclosed, discoverable, or compelled to bereduce producedthe innumber anyof civil,child criminal,deaths administrative,caused orby otherabuse proceeding nor shall such records be deemed admissible as evidence in any civil, criminal, administrative, or otherneglect. tribunal or court for any reason.

(3)Makespecificrecommendationsaboutpolicyorprocedureneededto addressanyissuesraisedinthereviewofthecaseandanyrecommendationsfor further changes in policies, practices, rules, or statutes to address those issues.

F.(1) The review team, in order that it may perform its functions and duties as provided in this Section, shall have access to any information, documents,orrecordsin thepossession of any representedorganization which are pertinent to a fatality or near fatality selected for review.

(2) All records obtained by the review team, in accordance with the provisions of this Section, shall be confidential and shall not be available for subpoena nor shall such information be disclosed, discoverable, or compelled to be produced in any civil, criminal, administrative, or other proceeding nor shall such records be deemed admissible as evidence in any civil, criminal, administrative, or other tribunal or court for any reason.

(4) The furnishing of confidential information, documents, and reports inaccordancewiththisSectionbyanyperson,agency,orentityfurnishingsuch information, documents, and reports shall not expose such person, agency, or entity to liability and shall not be considered a violation of any privileged or confidentialrelationship,providedtheparticipanthasactedingoodfaithintheconfidential relationship if the participant has acted in good faith in the reporting as required in this Section.

penalty * * * F.Page 8 of 22 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

237 ENROLLED F.

24:525, attorneys who areareappointed appointed bya court of juvenile jurisdiction to representtherepresent the sole interest of the children, and pursuant to court order, such case records may be reviewed by Pagecourt-appointed 10special ofadvocates 28appointed Coding:pursuant to Children's Code Article 424.1.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 court-appointed special advocates appointed pursuant to Children's Code Article 424.1.

The department may, however, provide foster parents all information from the department's records and from other records to which the department has access concerningachildconcerninga child in the fosterfosterhome,andconcerningthechild's home,family, andwheresuch concerningthe child's family,wheresuch information is necessary for the foster parents to properly care for the child.

In any child custody proceeding, after the issue has been raised of the potential existence of a relevant departmental record concerning the abuse or neglectPage of9 a child who is the subject of that22 proceeding,Coding: the judge may contact the local child protection unit to determine if such a record exists.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

237 ENROLLED neglect of a child who is the subject of that proceeding, the judge may contact the local child protection unit to determine if such a record exists.

(2) Information furnished to the department by persons, governmental Pageagencies, 11or other legal entities when such furnisher of 28information Coding:is subject to a confidentiality statute or regulation which prohibits release of such information to an outside source, and.

Words* which* are* struck(8)(a) throughCase arerecords deletionsinvolving frominvestigation existingof law;reports of child abuse and neglect shall be confidentialinorderto protecttherights ofthe child and his parents or guardians.

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 agencies, or other legal entities when such furnisher of information is subject to a confidentiality statute or regulation which prohibits release of such information to an outside source, and.

* * * (8)(a) Case records involving investigation of reports of child abuse and neglectshall beconfidentialin orderto protect the rights of the child andhis parents or guardians.

(a) When there has been a child fatality or near fatality in which abuse or neglect was medically determined by an examining physician to be a contributing factorPage in10 the cause of death22 orCoding: near fatality.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

237 ENROLLED factor in the cause of death or near fatality.

Page* 12* * (g) Nothing in this Paragraph shall limit the authority of 28the Coding:department to disclose requested information to the parent or guardian of an abused or neglected child as otherwise provided by law, unless the parent or guardian is the alleged perpetrator or living with or in a relationship with the alleged perpetrator.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 * * * (g) Nothing in this Paragraph shall limit the authority of the department to disclose requested information to the parent or guardian of an abused or neglected child as otherwise provided by law, unless the parent or guardian is the alleged perpetrator or living with or in a relationship with the alleged perpetrator.

(ii)Acommitteeorsubcommitteeofthelegislaturewhichhassubjectmatter jurisdiction over child protection legislation accordingtoaccording to the rules of the respective house, provided that such information is reviewed in closed session and kept confidential.

The proceedingsPage shall11 beof conducted22 inCoding: accordance with rules and regulations to be promulgated by the department.

(iv) The attorney who represents the child, the day care early learning center, or an employee of the day care early learning center.

* * * Section4.Children'sCodeArts.508,511(D),609(A)(3),theintroductoryparagraph of610(A),theintroductoryparagraphof610(A)(1),theintroductoryparagraphof610(A)(2), Page 13 of 28 Coding:

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 610(A)(3)ENROLLED andproceedings (4)(a),shall andbe (D)conducted throughin (H),accordance 612(A),with (B),rules and (C),regulations 619(A)(1),to 620(A),be andpromulgated 725.5(A)by areherebyamendedthe anddepartment. reenactedand Children's Code Arts.

512(E),(iv) 524(B)(13),The andattorney 603(17)(p)who arerepresents herebyenactedthe tochild, readthe asday follows:care early learning center, or an employee of the day care early learning center.

* * * Section 5.

Children's Code Arts.

508, 511(D), 609(A)(3), 610(A)(4)(a) and (D) through(H),612(A),(B),and(C),619(A)(1),620(A),and725.5(A)areherebyamendedand reenactedandChildren'sCodeArts.512(E),524(B)(13),and603(17)(p)and(33)arehereby enacted to read as follows:

C.C.AnychildforwhomtheDepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServices or law enforcement has received a report of suspected sexual abuse or severe physical abuse shall be referred to a child advocacy center for a forensic interview in accordance with interagency protocols.

AnyThe childdepartment thator thelaw Departmentenforcement ofagency Childrenshall andnotify Familythe Serviceschild oradvocacy lawcenter enforcementwithin hasseventy-two receivedhours aof reportreceiving ofthe suspectedreport sexualand orthe seriouschild physicaladvocacy abusecenter shall benotify referredmembers toof athe childappropriate advocacymultidisciplinary centerteam forwithin atwenty-four forensichours. interview.

TheEvery departmentchild oradvocacy lawcenter enforcementshall agencyaccept shallreferrals notifyfrom both the childdepartment advocacyand centerlaw withinenforcement.Themultidisciplinary seventy-twoteamshall hoursmeettoreviewany ofcase receivinginwhichaforensicinterviewhasoccurred.Lawenforcementorthedepartment theshall reportnot andclose thea childcase advocacyin centerwhich shalla notifyforensic membersinterview ofhas theoccurred appropriateprior multidisciplinaryto teamwithinthe twenty-Page four12 hours.of 22 Coding:

EveryWords childwhich advocacyare centerstruck shallthrough acceptare referralsdeletions from bothexisting thelaw; department and law enforcement.

Thewords multidisciplinary team shall meet to review any case in whichboldface atype forensicand interviewunderscored hasare occurred.additions.

LawSB enforcementNO. or the department shall not close a case in which a forensic interview has occurred prior to the multidisciplinary team review.

237 ENROLLED multidisciplinary team review.

qualifications Page* 14* of* 28D. Coding:

WordsThe whichcost areof struckemploying throughand aretraining deletionsthe fromforensic existinginterviewer law;is to be decidedon in the interagencyprotocols developed and instituted in accordancewith Articles 509 and Article 510 of this Part, and is not the responsibility of member agencies unless agreed to in the protocols.

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 * * * D.

The cost of employing and training the forensic interviewer is to be decidedon in theinteragencyprotocolsdevelopedand instituted in accordancewith Articles 509 and Article 510 of this Part, and is not the responsibility of member agencies unless agreed to in the protocols.

Each child advocacy center shall submit the attendance records for each multidisciplinary team in the center's jurisdiction to the attorney general everysixeverysixmonths. months.

*Page *13 * (17) "Mandatory reporter" is any of the22 followingCoding: individuals:

* * * (p) A court-appointed supervised visit monitor.

* * * Page 15 of 28 Coding:

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 Art.ENROLLED * * * (17) "Mandatory reporter" is any of the following individuals:

* * * (p) A court-appointed supervised visit monitor.

* * * (33)"Nearfatality"meansanactthat,ascertifiedbyaphysician,places the child in serious or critical condition.

* * * Art.

(d)(c) Any entity, including but not limited to hospitals, educational and religious institutions, and nonprofits, may provide its employees, volunteers, or educationalPage attendees14 with equivalent training pursuant to Subsubparagraph (a) of this22 Subparagraph.Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

237 ENROLLED educational attendees with equivalent training pursuant to Subsubparagraph (a) of this Subparagraph.

A reportershallreporter immediatelyreportshall toimmediately thereport Departmentsuspected ofchild Childrenabuse andor Familyneglect Servicesor asthat providedchild inabuse Subparagraphor (4)neglect ofwas thisa Paragraphcontributing suspectedfactor Pagein 16a ofchild's 28death Coding:in the following ways:

Words* which* are* struck(4) throughReports areto deletionsthe fromdepartment existingshall law;be made as follows:

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 child abuse or neglect or that child abuse or neglect was a contributing factor in a child's death.

in the following ways:

(1) To the Department of Children and Family Services The department shall initiateand conductaninvestigationpursuanttoArticle612ifthereporter has reason to believe indicates that the perpetrator is anyof the following:

* * * (2) To a The department shall refer the information provided by the mandatory reporter to the appropriate local or state law enforcement agency pursuant to Paragraph E of this Article and the appropriate law enforcement agency shall initiate and conduct an investigation if the reporter has reason to believe indicates that the perpetrator is any of the following:

* * * (3) Dual reporting to both the department and the local or state law enforcement agency is permitted.

However, the agency who receives a report pursuanttoSubparagraph(1)or(2)ofthisParagraphshallbetheagencyresponsible for accepting and acting on the report and shall ensure referral to other agencies as necessary.

(4) Reports to the department shall be made as follows:

In receiving any report of child abuse or neglect, the department or law enforcement agency shall clearly inform the reporter that, unlessthereporterrequestsanonymity,thatthedepartmentorlawenforcementunless the reporter requests anonymity, the department or law enforcement agency may contact the reporter directly to obtain further information during the investigation.

* * * PageD. 17 of 28 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 D.

The reporter maymayuse use a form for the written report, which shallbedeveloped,approved,andmadeavailablebytheDepartmentofChildrenand Family Services.

E.D.(1) All reports made to any local or state law enforcement agency involvingPage abuse15 or neglect in which an individual provided for in Subparagraph (A)(1) of this22 ArticleCoding: is believed responsible shall be reported to the department within twenty-four hours in accordance with Paragraph A of this Article.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

237 ENROLLED involving abuse or neglect in which an individual provided for in Subparagraph (A)(1) of this Article is believed responsible shall be reported to the department within twenty-four hours in accordance with Paragraph A of this Article.

(b) The department also shall notifyreport theall reporterofcases thespecificlawof enforcementagencychild wheredeath which involve a suspicion of abuse or neglect as a contributing factor in the reportwaschild's referred.death to the localand statelawenforcementagencies,theofficeofthedistrictattorney,thestate child ombudsman, and the coroner.

(b)(3) TheReports departmentinvolving alsoa shallfelony-gradecrime reportagainst alla cases of child deathshall whichbe involvepromptly acommunicated suspicionto ofthe abuseappropriate orlaw neglectenforcement authorities as apart contributingof factorthe interagencyprotocolsformultidisciplinaryinvestigationsofchildabuseandneglect in theeach child'sjudicial deathdistrict toas theprovided localandstatelawenforcementagencies,theofficeofthedistrictattorney,thestatein childArticles ombudsman,509 and theArticle coroner.510.

(3) Reports involving a felony-grade crime against a child shall be promptly communicated to the appropriate law enforcement authorities as part of the interagencyprotocolsformultidisciplinaryinvestigationsofchildabuseandneglect in each judicial district as provided in Articles 509 and Article 510.

PageF.E. 18 of 28 Coding:

Any commercial film or photographic print processor who has knowledge of or observes, within the scope of this professional capacity or employment, any film, photograph, video tape, negative, or slide depicting a child whoheknowsorshouldknowisundertheageofseventeenyears,whichconstitutes child pornography or child sexual abuse materials as defined in Article 603, shall report immediatelyto the local lawenforcementagencyhavingjurisdictionoverthe case.The reportershall provide a copyof the film, photograph, videotape, negative, or slide to the agency receiving the report.

G.F.(1) If a physician has cause to believe that a newborn was exposed in utero to an unlawfully used controlled dangerous substance, as defined by R.S.

40:961 etseq.,thephysicianshallorderatoxicologytest uponthenewborn,without Page 16 of 22 Coding:

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 F.E.ENROLLED the consent of the newborn's parents or guardian, to determine whether there is evidence of prenatal neglect.

Any commercial film or photographic print processor who has knowledge of or observes, within the scope of this professional capacity or employment, any film, photograph, video tape, negative, or slide depicting a child whoheknowsorshould knowisundertheageofseventeenyears,whichconstitutes child pornography or child sexual abuse materials as defined in Article 603, shall reportimmediatelyto thelocallawenforcementagencyhavingjurisdiction over the case.The reportershall provide a copyof the film, photograph, videotape, negative, or slide to the agency receiving the report.

G.F.(1) If a physician has cause to believe that a newborn was exposed in utero to an unlawfully used controlled dangerous substance, as defined by R.S.

40:961 etseq.,thephysicianshallorderatoxicologytest uponthenewborn,without the consent of the newborn's parents or guardian, to determine whether there is evidence of prenatal neglect.

H.G.(1) All instances of alleged child abuse that occur in a school setting shall be immediately reported by the school to the child's parent or legal guardian and to local or state law enforcementenforcement, the Department of Children and Family Services, regardless of the alleged perpetrator.

(3) TheLaw Departmentenforcement ofshall Childrenbegin andan Familyinvestigation Servicesof shallthe immediatelyallegations Pagewithin 19forty-eight hours of 28receiving Coding:the report.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 notify law enforcement if the allegedperpetratoris any individual identified in Subparagraph(A)(2)ofthisArticle.Lawenforcementshallbeginaninvestigation of the allegations within forty-eight hours of receiving the report.

(5) Any sexual abuse cases in which the alleged perpetrator is a child shall bebereferredtotheDepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServices.Thedepartmentshall referredassessthefamilyofthechildvictim toand acceptedthe byalleged thechild Departmentperpetratorto ofensure Childrenchild safety and Familywell-being Services.in accordance with Children's Code Article 612(A)(3).

The department shall assess the family of the child victim and the alleged child perpetratortoensurechildsafetyandwell-beinginaccordancewithChildren'sCode Article 612(A)(3).

I.H.(1) The provisions of this Paragraph shall be known and maybe cited as ThePage Alfred17 C.of 22 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

237 ENROLLED The Alfred C.

Assignment of reports for investigation and assessment A.(1)Uponreceivingareportofabuseorneglectofachild,whoisA.(1) notUpon inthereceivinga custodyofreport of abuse or neglect of a child who is not in the custodyofthe state, the local child protection unit ofof, the department shall promptly immediatelyimmediatelyassignalevelofriskto assignthechild alevelofrisktothechildbasedontheinformationprovidedbased byontheinformationprovidedby the reporter.

This preliminary investigation shall also Pageincludeaninterviewwiththechildandthechild'sparentsorothercaretakerandshall 20include consideration of 28all Coding:available medical information provided to the department pertaining to the child's condition.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 includeaninterviewwiththechildandthechild'sparentsorothercaretakerandshall include consideration of all available medical information provided to the department pertaining to the child's condition.

(3) In lieu of an investigation, reports of low levels of risk and reports from lawPage enforcement18 of child22 sexualCoding: abuse as provided for in Article 610 may be assessedpromptlythroughinterviewswiththefamilytoidentifyneedsandavailable matchtocommunityresources.Ifduringthisassessment,itisdeterminedthatachild isatimmediatesubstantialriskofharm,thelocalchildprotectionunitshallpromptly immediately conduct or participate in an intensive investigation.

(4)Anyreportsofsexualabuseinwhichtheallegedperpetratorisachild shallbeassessedimmediatelythroughinterviewswithfamilyofthechildvictim and the alleged child perpetrator to identify needs and available matches to community resources.

If during this assessment, it is determined that a child is at immediate substantial risk of harm, the local child protection unit shall immediately conduct an intensive investigation.

(4)(5) During the investigation of a report from a treating health care Page 21 of 28 Coding:

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 practitionerENROLLED oflaw physicalenforcement orof child sexual abuse ofas aprovided childfor who is not in custodyofArticle the610 state,may atbe theassessedpromptlythroughinterviewswiththefamilytoidentifyneedsandavailable requestmatchtocommunityresources.Ifduringthisassessment,itisdeterminedthatachild andisatimmediatesubstantialriskofharm,thelocalchildprotectionunitshallpromptly expenseimmediately ofconduct the child's parent or caregiver,participate thein department shall provide copies of all medical information pertaining to the child's condition or treatment obtained during the investigation to a board certified child abuse pediatrician for purposes of conducting an independentintensive reviewinvestigation. of the information.

Any(4)Anyreportsofsexualabuseinwhichtheallegedperpetratorisachild resultingmaybeassessedimmediatelythroughinterviewswithfamilyofthechild reportvictim shall be provided to the department and to the child'salleged parentchild orperpetrator caretakerandto shallidentify beneeds utilizedand inavailable thematches department's ongoing assessment of risk and to determinecommunity whatresources. action maybe necessaryto protect the health, welfare, and safetyof the child.

If, during this assessment, it is determined that a child is at immediate substantial risk of harm, the local child protection unit shall immediately conduct an intensive investigation.

(4)(5) During the investigation of a report from a treating health care practitioner of physical abuse of a child who is not in custody of the state, at the request and expense of the child's parent or caregiver, the department shall provide copies of all medical information pertaining to the child's condition or treatment obtained during the investigation to a board certified child abuse pediatrician for purposes of conducting an independent review of the information.

Any resulting report shall be provided to the department and to the child's parent or caretaker and shall be utilized in the department's ongoing assessment of risk and to determine what action may be necessaryto protect the health, welfare, and safety of the child.

C.Allinterviewsofthechildorhisparentsconductedinthecourseofachild protectiveinvestigationshallPage betape-recorded,ifrequestedbythe19 parentorparents.of 22 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

237 ENROLLED protective investigation shall be recorded tape-recorded, if requested bythe parent or parents recorded.

The department shall request instantercustodyinstantercustodyof ofany anychildthatisinthecustodyofanotherstateandchild locatedthatisinthecustodyofanotherstateandlocated in Louisiana until thechild cancanbereturnedto bereturnedtothethe state of original jurisdiction.

* * * PageArt. 22 of 28 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 Art.

Oral instanter orders A.(1) In exceptional circumstances, the facts supporting the issuance of an instanter order and the exceptional circumstances may be relayed orally, including telephonically,tothejudge,andtheorderdirectingthatachildbetakenintocustodytelephonically,tothejudge,andtheorderdirectingthatachildbetakeninto or,uponcustody requestbytheor, state,upon thatrequest anbythe instanterstate, safetyplanthataninstantersafetyplanorderbeimplemented orderbeimplementedmaymay be issued orally.

(2) An oral instanter order may be executed if the department requests instantercustodyofanychildthatisinthecustodyofanotherstateandinstantercustodyofanychildthatis locatedin thecustody ofanotherstateandlocated in Louisiana until thechild can bereturned to the state of original jurisdiction.

* * * SectionSection6. 5.

Children'sPursuantto CodeR.S. Articles 509 and 610(I) are herebyrepealed.

Section49:193, 6.theDepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServices Page 20 of 22 Coding:

The implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be subject to the appropriation of funds by the legislature for this purpose.

The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared bySenate Legislative Services.

The keyword, summary, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.

[R.S.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] DIGEST SB 237 Re-Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Barrow Title 24 Present law provides for the duties and responsibilities of the state child ombudsman, includingthedutytonotifythesenatorandrepresentativewhorepresentthedistrictinwhich a child has died as a result of abuse or neglect.

Proposedlawrequiresthestatechildombudsmantoalsonotifythesenatororrepresentative whenachildin theirdistrict isthe subject of an alleged child abuse orneglectinvestigation.

Proposed law further requires that the notification shall not include any identifying Page 23 of 28 Coding:

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 information.ENROLLED and the statutory entities made a part of the department by law shall be re-created effective June 30, 2026, and all statutory authority therefor is continued in accordance with the provisions of Part XII of Chapter 1 of Title 49 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

PresentSection7.AllstatutoryauthorityfortheexistenceoftheDepartmentofChildrenand lawFamily requiresServices and the Dept.statutory entities made a part of the department as re-created by Section 6 of this Act shall cease as of July 1, 2029, pursuant to R.S.

of49:191. Children and Family Services (DCFS) to notify the state child ombudsman of the death of any child that had been reported to the department for alleged child abuse or neglect.

ProposedHowever, law requires DCFS to provide notification to the stateDepartment child ombudsman upon DCFS receivinginformation of theChildren deathand orFamily nearServices fatalityofmay anychildbe whosere-created deathprior orto injurysuch isdate thein subjectaccordancewith oftheprovisions aofPartXIIofChapter1ofTitle49oftheLouisianaRevised childStatutes abuse or neglect investigation and after the conclusion of the1950. investigation.

ProposedSection law8. further provides for specific information to be included in the notification.

Presentlawauthorizesthestatechildombudsmantohavepermission,uponrequest,toviewThe andprovisions use documents and records relevant to the ombudsman's statutory authority, excluding the name and identifying information of aR.S. reporter of child abuse or neglect.

Proposed49:193 lawremovestheexclusionare forthereporter'shereby identityandotherwiseretainssuperseded presentto law.the extent that those provisions are in conflict with the provisions of this Act.

ProposedSection law9. additionallyauthorizes the ombudsman to have unrestricted remote access to department computer networks and systems for any state agency that provides services to childrenthroughstatefunds.Proposedlawfurtherprohibitstheombudsmanfromdisclosing identifying information of a reporter of alleged child abuse or neglect contained within any network or system.

TitleR.S. 42 Present law provides for a reason in which a public bodymay hold executive session.

Proposed49:191(2)(h) lawis addshereby testimonyenacted including identifying information and explicit details related to physicalread or sexual abuse of children as anfollows: allowable reason to hold executive session.

Title§191. 46 Present law provides for the duties of DCFS.

ProposedTermination lawof requireslegislative theauthority department to establish a law enforcement liaison position for eachexistence region of thestatutoryentities; state and provide for qualification and responsibilities for the position.

Presentphase- lawout providesperiod relativefor tostatutory accessentities; of records pertaining to foster care of children, investigationsofabuseandneglectofchildren,andotherchildwelfareservicesandprovides instances where the records maybe reviewed.

Proposedtable lawof allowsdates Notwithstanding any termination dates set by any previous Act of the statelegislature,thestatutoryentitiessetforthinthisSectionshallbegintoterminatetheir childoperations ombudsmanon toJuly reviewfirst of each of the records.following years, and all legislative authority for the existence of any statutory entity, as defined in R.S.

Present49:190, lawshall providescease thatas caseof recordsJuly involvingfirst investigation of reportsthe offollowing childyear, abusewhich andshall neglectbe are confidential and prohibits the disclosuretermination ofdate: identifying information concerning an individual who reportedalleged abuse or neglect except pursuant to certain court orders.

Proposed* law* authorizes* DCFS(2) toJuly disclose1, identifying2028: information of the reporter to law enforcement that is involved in the investigation of a report or complaint.

Present* law* authorizes* DCFS(h) toThe discloseDepartment requestedinformationof toChildren theand parentFamily orServices guardianand ofall anstatutory abusedentities ormade neglecteda child.part of the department by law.

Proposed* law* provides* thatSection DCFS's10. authority to share the information with the parent or guardian is limited if either is the alleged perpetrator or is living with or in a relationship with the alleged perpetrator.

PageR.S. 24 of 28 Coding:

49:191(1)(h) is hereby repealed.

Section 11.

Children's Code Articles 509 and 610(I) are herebyrepealed.

Section12.ThisSectionandSections6through10ofthisActshallbecomeeffective on June 30, 2026;

if vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Section and Sections 6 through 10 of this Act shall become effective on June 30, 2026, Page 21 of 22 Coding:

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 ProposedENROLLED lawor updatedon terminologythe andday referencesfollowing tosuch DCFSapproval licensureby ofthe daylegislature, carewhichever centers.is later.

ProposedSection law13.(A) requiresThe DCFSprovisions toof designateSections the1 chiefthrough medical5 directorand as11 theof employeethis responsibleforoverseeingallmattersregardingchildfatalitiesandnearfatalities,includingAct notifyingshall thebecome childeffective ombudsmanJanuary and1, posting2027. information on the public website.

Proposed(B) lawThe requiresprovisions DCFSof tothis postSection certainshall informationbecome oneffective itsupon publicsignature websiteby relativethe togovernor eachor, substantiatedif casenot signed by the governor, upon expiration of childthe abusetime orfor neglectbills thatto resultedbecome inlaw awithout fatalitysignature orby nearthe fatality.governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana.

ProposedIf lawvetoed establishesby athe multidisciplinarygovernor criticaland incidentsubsequently reviewapproved team,by under the directionlegislature, of the attorneyprovisions general,of tothis reviewSection allshall substantiatedbecome andeffective unsubstantiated fatalities and near fatalities received by DCFS and make recommendations on changesthe today policies,following procedures,such rulesapproval. and statutes.

Children'sPRESIDENT CodeOF PresentTHE lawSENATE requiresSPEAKER theOF establishmentTHE ofHOUSE aOF multidisciplinaryREPRESENTATIVES investigativeGOVERNOR teamOF (MDT)THE forSTATE theinvestigationofchildabuseinOF eachjudicialLOUISIANA districtAPPROVED: andprovidesforthereferralofcases to the team in accordance with interagency protocols developed and instituted pursuant to present law.

ProposedPage law22 requires DCFS and law enforcement to refer anychild that the department or agency has received a report of suspected22 sexualCoding: or serious physical abuse to a child advocacycenter(CAC)foraforensicinterview.

Proposed law furtherrequires DCFS orthe law enforcement agency to notify the CAC within 72 hours of receiving the report and requires the CAC to notify the MDT within 24 hours.

ProposedlawrequireseveryCACtoacceptreferralsfrombothDCFSandlawenforcement.

ProposedlawrequirestheMDTtomeettoreviewanycaseinwhichaforensicinterviewhas occurred and prohibits DCFS or law enforcementfrom closing anycasein which a forensic interview has occurred prior to the MDT review.

PresentlawprovidesforadraftingcommitteetoconfectinteragencyprotocolsfortheMDTs in each judicial district no later than Aug.

15, 2006.

Proposed law repeals present law.

Present law provides for the composition of MDT teams including the following governmental entities:

DCFS, the district attorney, the sheriff and other law enforcement agencieshavingresponsibilityinthedistrictfortheinvestigationofchildabuse,thecoroner or his designee who is a licensed medical professional with experience in the investigation of child abuse or the evalution of child victims.

Proposed law provides that each governmental entity is required to have a representative at each MDT meeting.

Proposed law further requires each CAC to submit the attendance recordsforeachMDTintheCAC'sjurisdictiontotheattorneygeneraleverysixmonthsand requirestheattorneygeneraltoreviewtherecordsforcomplianceandnotifyanyagencythat is out of compliance.

Present law provides for the responsibilities and minimum standards for each CAC.

Proposed law required each CAC to have specialized policies for conducting forensic interviews with children with disabilities or who require special accommodations.

Present law defines "mandatory reporter".

Proposed law adds court-appointed supervised visit monitors as a mandatoryreporter.

Page 25 of 28 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 Present law requiresmandatoryreportersto beofferedtrainingmade available byDCFS on the statutory requirements and responsibility of reporting child abuse and neglect.

Proposed law requires mandatory reporters to be offered training provided by DCFS to include how to identify signs and symptoms of child neglect and abuse, including sexual abuse and human trafficking.

Present law allows each mandatory reporter to obtain training as the reporter believes is necessary.

Proposed law repeal present law.

Presentlawfurtherallowsanyentity,includingbutnot limited tohospitals, educationaland religious institutions, and nonprofits to provide its employees, volunteers, or educational attendees with training that is equivalent to the DCFS training.

Proposed law retains present law.

Proposed law further authorizes DCFS to provide for an annual competency assessment which may be used for training purposes.

Present law requires reporters to report suspected child abuse or neglect to DCFS if the reporter believes the perpetrator is a parent, caretaker, or other individual identified in present law and to report to law enforcement if the suspected perpetrator is a school employee or other individual not under DCFS's investigative jurisdiction.

Proposed law requires reporters to report all suspected child abuse or neglect to DCFS and requires DCFS to either investigate or refer the information provided by the mandatory reporter to law enforcement.

Proposed law requires DCFS or law enforcement to clearly inform the reporter that the department or agencymaycontact the reporter directlyto obtain furtherinformation during the investigation, unless the reporter requests anonymity.

Present law requires that if a mandatory reporter makes an initial report in oral form, the reportershall followupwithawrittenreportontheonlineMandatedReporterPortal within five days.

Proposed law repeals present law.

Present law requires DCFS to notify law enforcement with 24 hours of reports made to the department in which the suspected perpetrator is an individual that is not under the investigative jurisdiction of DCFS.

Proposed law requires DCFS to notify the reporter of the specific law enforcement agency where the report was referred.

Present law requires all instances of alleged child abuse that occur in a school setting to be reported to the child's parent and legal guardian and to local or state law enforcement.

Proposed law adds that the school is required to make the reports and changes the required reportingfrom local or state law enforcementto DCFS andforDCFS to immediatelynotify law enforcement if the alleged perpetrator is an individual under the investigative jurisdiction of law enforcement.

Presentlawprovidesforthereportsofhighand intermediate levels of risk as determinedby DCFS to be promptly investigated and include a preliminaryinvestigation.

Page 26 of 28 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 Proposed law requires reports of high risk to be investigated "immediately" and reports of intermediate levels of risk to be investigated "promptly".

Proposed law furtherrequiresthat preliminary interviews for reports of sexual abuse shall only be to assess the immediate safety of the child and a forensic interview at a CAC shall be immediatelyscheduled.

Present law authorizes peace officers, district attorneys, and employees of the local child protection unit of DCFS to request an instanter order for emergency removal or the implementation of a safety plan for a child in need of care.

Proposed law requires DCFS to request an instanter order of anychild that is in the custody of another state and located in Louisiana until the child can be returned to the state of original jurisdiction and provides that the an oral instanter order may be executed in those situations.

Implementation of the provisions of proposed law is subject to the appropriation of funds by the legislature for this purpose.

Effective August 1, 2026.

(AmendsR.S.24:525(C)(5),(6),and(13)and(D)-(G),R.S.46:56(F)(1),(2),(8),(9)(a),(e), and(g),and(10)(a),Ch.C.Arts.508,511(D),609(A)(3),610(A)(intropara),610(A)(1)(intro para), 610(A)(2)(intro para), 610(A)(3) and (4)(a), and (D)-(H), 612(A), (B), and (C), 619(A)(1),620(A),and725.5(A);addsR.S.24:525(C)(14)and(H),R.S.42:17(A)(12),R.S.

46:1(7), 51(17) and (18), 52.2, and 52.3, and Ch.C.

Arts.

512(E), 524(B)(13), and 603(17)(p);

repeals Ch.C.

Arts.

509 and 610(I)) Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate Committee Amendments Proposed bySenate Committee on Health and Welfare to the original bill 1.

Adds provisions relative to false reporting of alleged abuse or neglect perpetrated by school employees to the Dept.

of Education.

2.

Adds provisions relative to the child ombudsman's access to external departments' systems.

3.

Requires DCFS to publish certain information relative to each substantiated case of child abuse or neglect that resulted in a fatalityor near fatalityon its public website.

4.

Establishes a multidisciplinary critical incident review team to review all substantiated and unsubstantiated fatalities and near fatalities received by DCFS.

5.

Makes technical changes.

Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Finance to the engrossed bill 1.

Remove provision excluding the identity of a reporter of child abuse or neglect from documents and records accessible by the state child ombudsman.

2.

Clarify the responsibilities of the law enforcement liaison position within DCFS.

3.

Require DCFS to refer the information provided by the mandatory reporter Page 27 of 28 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-9 RE-REENGROSSED SB NO.

237 to law enforcement.

4.

Require reports of high risk to be investigated "immediately" and reports of intermediate levels of risk to be investigated "promptly" by DCFS.

5.

Remove provision requiring a principal or school administrator to immediately report to the Dept.

of Education if an allegation of physical or sexual abuse of a student has been made against a school employee.

6.

Remove provision requiring the state Dept.

of Education to maintain a database of reports.

7.

Remove immunity provisions.

8.

Restoresprovisionallowinganyentity,includingbutnotlimitedtohospitals, educational and religious institutions, and nonprofits to provide its employees, volunteers, or educational attendees with training that is equivalent to the DCFS training.

9.

Remove requirement that mandatoryreporters complete annual training.

10.

Providethattheimplementation of the provisions of proposedlawissubject to the appropriation of funds by the legislature.

11.

Make technical changes.

Senate Floor Amendments to reengrossed bill 1.

Makes technical changes.

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