HB 177 (Reps. Wilkerson-D, Willard-R, Chandler-R, Oliver-D, Welch-R and Evans-D)

Amends O.C.G.A. § 49-5-41, requiring that a child welfare agenday providing protective services or in the absence of such agency, a law enforcement agency or prosecuting attorney which receives a report of suspected child abuse from a school employee respond in writing, within 24 hours, to the employee initiating the report, acknowledging receipt of such report.

Additionally, withing five days of completing the investigation of the suspected child abuse, the entity shall disclose in writing to the school counselor (or principal if there is no counselor) of the school the child is attending at teh time the suspected abuse was reported whether the suspected child abuse was confirmed or unconfirmed.

This proposed change in the law could go a long way toward reassuring mandated reporters that their report was received and acted upon.