SB 326

Under current law, certain health care providers, school employees, and other

professionals who have reason to suspect that a child seen in the course of

professional duties has been abused or neglected or that a child has been threatened

with abuse or neglect and that abuse or neglect will occur must report that suspected

or threatened abuse or neglect to the county department of human services or social

services or, in Milwaukee County, the Department of Children and Families (DCF)

or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with DCF (collectively "agency") or

to the sheriff or city, village, or town police department. In the case of a report of

suspected or threatened sexual abuse of a child made to an agency, the agency must,

within 12 hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, refer the report

to the sheriff or police department, which must coordinate the investigation of the

report with the agency. If the sheriff or police department determines that criminal

action is necessary, the sheriff or police department must refer the case to the district

attorney for criminal prosecution. Current law requires each sheriff and police

department to adopt a written policy specifying the kinds of reports of suspected or

threatened sexual abuse of a child that the sheriff or police department will routinely

refer to the district attorney for criminal prosecution.

This bill expands those referral and coordination requirements to

all

reports of

suspected or threatened abuse or neglect of a child. Specifically, the bill requires:

1) an agency that receives a report of

any

suspected or threatened child abuse or

neglect to refer that report to the sheriff or police department as soon as practicable,

but no later than 12 hours,

after receiving the report, with no exclusion for

Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays; 2) the sheriff or police department and the

agency to coordinate the investigation of

any

report of suspected or threatened child

abuse or neglect received by the sheriff, a police department, or an agency; and 3)

each sheriff and police department to adopt a written policy specifying the kinds of

reports of suspected or threatened child abuse or neglect

of any type

that the sheriff

or police department will routinely refer to the district attorney for criminal

prosecution.