HB 1414

Requirement that certain injuries to children be reported by physicians, nurses, teachers, etc.; penalties for failure to report. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person required to file a report, pursuant to relevant law, who fails to do so as soon as possible, but not longer than 24 hours after having reason to suspect a reportable offense of child abuse or neglect where such reportable offense is alleged to have occurred at (i) a private or state-operated hospital, institution, or facility to which children have been committed or where children have been placed for care and treatment or (ii) any public or private organization responsible for the care, custody, or control of children. The bill also provides that a second or subsequent violation is a Class 6 felony. Under current law, any such person who fails to file such report, regardless of where the reportable offense is alleged to have occurred, is (i) subject to a fine of not more than $500 for the first failure and not less than $1,000 for any subsequent failure or (ii) guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor if the reportable offense is completed or attempted rape, sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, or object sexual penetration. The bill also clarifies that such reporting requirement is imposed upon any hospital administrator or chief executive officer who is 18 years of age or older and associated with or employed by any public or private organization responsible for the care, custody, or control of children.