Senators on the Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee on Friday overwhelmingly approved legislation that would require suspected child abuse or neglect to be reported within 24 hours.
Senate Bill 239, sponsored by Sen. Richard H. Stuart, R-Stafford, was filed in response to the Penn State sex-abuse case involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
The legislation would reduce the required reporting period from 72 hours to 24 hours. Punishment for failing to report the suspected abuse on more than one occasion would increase from a maximum fine of $1,000 to up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Similar bills are progressing through the House of Delegates.
Jim Nolan
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