Bill > HB371

This bill amends Ohio state law to make elected officials mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. Specifically, the bill requires any elected official who knows or suspects that a child under 18 years of age (or a person under 21 with a developmental disability or physical impairment) has suffered or is at risk of suffering abuse or neglect to immediately report that information to the local public children services agency or a peace officer. The bill defines an elected official as any elected officer of the state or political subdivision, excluding members of a central committee of a political party. If an elected official is also another type of mandatory reporter (such as a healthcare professional), they must still make a report regardless of whether they are acting in their official or professional capacity. The reporting requirement is similar to existing mandatory reporting requirements for other professionals like teachers, healthcare workers, and social workers, and is designed to ensure that those in positions of public trust are actively involved in protecting children from potential harm by promptly reporting suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb371