Governor proposes changes to Georgia's mandated reporting law

Governor Brian Kemp has proposed several new reforms to Georgia's adoption law and foster care system.  As part of the package, legislators have proposed several changes to the state's mandated reporter law.  The draft legislation, if passed, will:

•  Expand the list of offenses required to be reported to include abandonment, emotional abuse, and prenatal exposure to "chronic or severe" use of alcohol or drugs, and

•  Clarify who can be held responsible for abuse, including any person "exercising supervision over a child for any part of the 24 hour day."  This change will sweep in youth organizations, neighbors, and family members providing temporary care.  

The bill currently is in the Senate and has not yet been presented for a vote.