Reference is to the bill as introduced.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting language and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Section 63-7-310 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 227 of 2010, is further amended to read:
"Section 63-7-310.
(A) A physician, nurse, dentist,
optometrist, medical examiner, or coroner, or an employee of a
county medical examiner's or coroner's office, or any other
medical, emergency medical services, mental health, or allied
health professional, member of the clergy including a Christian
Science Practitioner or religious healer, school or college
administrator, coach, school teacher, counselor, principal,
assistant principal, school attendance officer, social or public
assistance worker, substance abuse treatment staff, or childcare
worker in a childcare center or foster care facility, foster
parent, police or law enforcement officer, firefighter, camp
counselor, scout leader, juvenile justice worker,
undertaker, funeral home director or employee of a funeral home,
persons responsible for processing films, computer technician,
judge, or a volunteer non-attorney guardian ad litem serving on
behalf of the South Carolina Guardian Ad Litem Program or on
behalf of Richland County CASA, and any other person whose
duties require direct contact or supervision of children
must report in accordance with this section when in the person's
professional capacity the person has received information which
gives the person reason to believe that a child has been or may
be abused or neglected as defined in Section 63-7-20.
(B) If a person
required to report pursuant to subsection (A) has received
information in the person's professional or volunteer
capacity which gives the person reason to believe that a child's
physical or mental health or welfare has been or may be
adversely affected by acts or omissions that would be child
abuse or neglect if committed by a parent, guardian, or other
person responsible for the child's welfare, but the reporter
believes that the act or omission was committed by a person
other than the parent, guardian, or other person responsible for
the child's welfare, the reporter must make a report to the
appropriate law enforcement agency.
(C) Except as
provided in subsection (A), a person, including, but not limited
to, a volunteer non-attorney guardian ad litem serving on behalf
of the South Carolina Guardian Ad Litem Program or on behalf of
Richland County CASA, who has reason to believe that a child's
physical or mental health or welfare has been or may be
adversely affected by abuse and neglect may report, and is
encouraged to report, in accordance with this section.
Except as provided in subsection (A), a person who has reason
to believe that a child's physical or mental health or welfare
has been or may be adversely affected by abuse and neglect may
report, and is encouraged to report, in accordance with this
section. A person in subsection (A) or (B) who reports child
abuse or neglect to a supervisor or person in charge of an
institution, school, facility, or agency is not relieved of the
individual duty to report in accordance with this section. The
duty to report is not superseded by an internal investigation
within the institution, school, facility, or agency.
(D) Reports of child
abuse or neglect may be made orally by telephone or otherwise to
the county department of social services or to a law enforcement
agency in the county where the child resides or is found."
SECTION 2. Section 63-7-450(A) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(A) The
Department of Social Services Protective Services shall inform
all persons required to report under this
subarticle pursuant to Section 63-7-310(A) of
the nature, problem, and extent of child abuse and neglect and
of their duties and responsibilities in accordance with this
article. The department also, on a continuing basis, shall
conduct training programs for department staff and appropriate
training for persons required to report under this
subarticle pursuant to Section
63-7-310(A)."
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval of the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform. Amend title to conform.