Reference is to the bill as introduced.
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking all after the enacting words and inserting:
/ SECTION 1. Section 63-7-310 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"(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, clerical
or nonclerical religious counselor who is a licensed counselor
or holds himself out as a counselor or regularly counsels
others, 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 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 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
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 by the Governor. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend title to conform.