Not reporting child abuse would become a felony in the most serious cases
What it does
A failure to report child abuse or neglect is a Class A misdemeanor. HB 217 would make it a state jail felony when the person intended to conceal the abuse or neglect, or when the unreported conduct involved certain serious crimes. Those listed crimes include trafficking, continuous sexual abuse of a young child, indecency with a child, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, and compelling prostitution. The bill would also cover compelling or encouraging a child to engage in sexual conduct, and causing or allowing a child to be photographed or filmed in an obscene or pornographic way or to take part in a sexual performance.
What it means for your community
If state law makes you report suspected child abuse, staying silent in the worst situations would move you from a misdemeanor to a felony, with the added weight of the crimes that went unreported. The change applies only to conduct on or after the effective date. The bill would take effect September 1, 2027 if the Legislature passes it.
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