A.G. File No. 2007-013

Child Abuse Reporting Enforcement Act of 2008 (Amendment #1-S)

June 11, 2007

 


The proposed measure would: establish that a diagnosis of sexually transmitted infection, pregnancy, or miscarriage, or complications of pregnancy, abortion, or miscarriage in a minor 15 years old or under constitutes, in and of itself, a reasonable suspicion of sexual abuse; require that a mandated reporter who makes a report of a reasonable suspicion of sexual abuse, provide an additional statement as to their belief that sexual abuse has or has not occurred, and requires the mandated reporter to ensure that physical evidence of the abuse is preserved and made available to law enforcement; mandate that health care professionals provide proof that they have reported suspected sexual abuse when a patient 15 or under is diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease, is pregnant, or has complications thereof, in order to receive any Medi-Cal or other state reimbursement; and require all health facilities or clinics to post a warning that preventing or dissuading minor victims from reporting sexual abuse is a crime.