HB604 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Becky NordgrenDan WilliamsTerri CollinsK.L. BrownAllen TreadawayJoe FaustDickie DrakeMike BallPatricia ToddThomas JacksonJuandalynn Givan

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Child abuse, law enforcement agencies, individuals mandated to report child abuse to report directly to a duly constituted authority, Sec. 26-14-3 am'd

Summary

HB604 would require everyone mandated to report child abuse to directly report known or suspected abuse orally to a proper authority, with immediate oral reporting and written follow-up.

What This Bill Does

It changes mandatory reporting to require direct, immediate oral reporting to a duly constituted authority by all mandated reporters listed (such as hospitals, doctors, teachers, police, social workers, clergy, and others), followed by a written report. It clarifies the flow of information to the Department of Human Resources and law enforcement to enable protective services and investigations, including how schools and state facilities handle reports. It also includes interagency cooperation provisions, an expungement rule if no conviction results, and a clergy confidentiality exception for privileged communications.

Who It Affects

• Mandated reporters (e.g., hospitals, doctors, teachers, peace officers, social workers, clergy, day care workers, etc.) who must directly report known or suspected child abuse orally and then provide a written report.
• State and local agencies (Department of Human Resources and law enforcement) involved in receiving, sharing, and investigating child abuse reports, coordinating protective services, maintaining records, and handling related school and facility reports.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 26-14-3 to require mandated reporters to directly report known or suspected child abuse orally to a duly constituted authority immediately, followed by a written report.
• If a report is first made to law enforcement, the officer must inform the Department of Human Resources so protective services can be provided when appropriate.
• Department of Human Resources must receive initial reports and, for abuse in schools or state-operated facilities, transmit copies to relevant law enforcement and operating state agencies to conduct investigations, with results sent to county DHR for central registry entry.
• Interagency agreements are allowed to streamline procedures for investigations and cooperation among departments.
• If an investigation does not lead to a conviction, the agency must expunge the record of the information and related data.
• Clergy are not required to report information gained solely in confidential communications privileged under Rule 505; other non-privileged information must still be reported.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Child Abuse