SB 209

Under current law, certain persons having reasonable cause to suspect that a

child seen in the course of professional duties has been abused must report that

suspected abuse to the sheriff or police department or to the county department of

human services or social services or, in Milwaukee County, the Department of

Children and Families (DCF) or a child welfare agency under contract with DCF

(collectively "agency"). Current law also permits any other person having reason to

suspect that a child has been abused to make such a report.

Current law requires the sheriff or police department to refer to an agency all

cases of child abuse reported to it in which a caregiver is suspected of the abuse or

of facilitating or failing to take action to prevent the suspected abuse and all cases

in which it cannot be determined who abused the child. Then, within 24 hours after

receiving the referral, the agency must initiate a diligent investigation to determine

if the child is in need of protection or services. Current law, however, permits, rather

than requires, the sheriff or police department to refer to an agency a case in which

a person who is not a caregiver of a child is suspected of the abuse of the child and

permits, rather than requires, the agency to initiate a diligent investigation to

determine if the child is in need of protection or services.

This bill requires the sheriff or police department to refer to an agency, and the

agency to investigate, a case of child abuse in which a person who is not a caregiver

of the child is suspected of permitting, allowing, or encouraging the child to engage

in prostitution.