SB 162

Current law requires persons in certain professions, such as school teachers

and health care professionals, who have reasonable cause to suspect that a child seen

in the course of their professional duties has been abused or neglected, or who have

reason to believe that the child has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that

abuse or neglect will occur, to report the alleged abuse or neglect to the appropriate

county or state agency or a law enforcement agency (mandatory reporters). Current

law allows persons who are not mandatory reporters to report suspected actual or

threatened child abuse or neglect in the same manner.

Under current law, any person or institution participating in good faith in the

making of such a report, conducting an investigation, ordering or taking of

photographs, or ordering or performing medical examinations of a child or of an

expectant mother has immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that results by

reason of the action. This bill adds that this immunity extends to persons who assist

in medical examinations of a child or expectant mother and to persons who

otherwise, in good faith, provide information, assistance, or consultation in

connection with a report, investigation, or legal intervention.