State Rep. Dickie Drake praised members of the House Children and Senior Advocacy Committee for giving a favorable report to House Bill 604, known as the Savannah Hardin Mandatory Reporting Bill.  The bill, which has already passed in 18 states, will now be in position to be considered on the floor of the Alabama House.

The purpose of this piece of legislation is to empower the citizens of Alabama to assist in the effort to stop child abuse and neglect.  The bill would require the following:

—Any Alabama citizen who suspects or has knowledge of child abuse and neglect report it to the Department of Human Resources or law enforcement.

—Any individuals holding a professional licensure or certification providing services to children must have annual training on child abuse/neglect and mandatory reporting.

—Penalties be applied to individuals intentionally making a false report of child abuse and on employers that discipline or suspend an employee for making a report.

—Individuals making the report are to be held harmless if the report is found to be unsustainable after an investigation is performed.

In a statement released last week, Drake said,  “Placing added protections and safeguards in the law to help ensure our children are protected from abuse and neglect is of paramount importance to me and I appreciate my colleagues in the legislature for being so supportive of this measure.  Empowering the citizens of this state with the ability to assist in the fight against child abuse will result in more criminals being brought to justice for heinous acts against children.”