HB330 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Child abuse or neglect, mandatory reporting requirements, Sec. 26-14-3 am'd

Summary

HB330 would require law enforcement to notify a local child advocacy center approved by the Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention when an initial child abuse or neglect report is made, in addition to notifying the Department of Human Resources.

What This Bill Does

It expands the notification requirements to also include a local child advocacy center (CAC) approved by the DCANP when an initial report is made to law enforcement. The Department of Human Resources will continue to receive the report to coordinate protective services. The CAC must be an approved entity, ensuring the center is authorized to participate in the response. Other parts of the reporting framework (such as how school reports are handled and how investigations are conducted) remain in place and continue to operate with interagency cooperation as needed.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement officials — must inform both the Department of Human Resources and a locally approved child advocacy center when they receive an initial report.
• Local child advocacy centers (approved by the Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention) — will be notified of new initial reports and can provide advocacy and support.
• Department of Human Resources — continues to receive initial reports from law enforcement to determine and provide protective services.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: When an initial report of child abuse or neglect is made to law enforcement, the official must inform the Department of Human Resources and also inform a local child advocacy center approved by the Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention.
• Provision 2: The local child advocacy center must be approved by the Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention.
• Provision 3: The existing framework remains in place for reporting to DHR, transmitting school and residential facility reports, and completing investigations, with interagency cooperation allowed.
• Provision 4: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and approval by the Governor.

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