2016 Legislative Changes

NEW LAWS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2016 TO INCLUDE IN YOUR LOCAL PROTOCOL.  

FILING THE UPDATED LOCAL PROTOCOL WITH THE OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE BY SEPTEMBER 1, 2016.

TWO NEW MANDATED PROTOCOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS NOW INCLUDE:

A representative of a:

*local child advocacy center  and
*sexual assault center

MANDATED REPORTER DEFINITION OF CHILD ABUSE NOW INCLUDES CHILD ENDANGERMENT:

Child Endangerment to the  Mandated Reporter definition of Child Abuse under O.C.G.A 19-7-5(4) 

(A) Physical injury or death inflicted upon a child by a parent or caretaker thereof by other than accidental means; provided, however, physical forms of discipline may be used as long as there is no physical injury to the child;

(B) Neglect or exploitation of a child by a parent or caretaker;

(C) Endangering a child  

(D) Sexual abuse of a child; or

(E) Sexual exploitation of a child.

  Child Endangerment is defined under  Mandated Reporter statute O.C.G.A 19-7-5 (6.1) as:

(6.1)  'Endangering a child' means:
(A)  Any act described by subsection (d) of Code Section 16-5-70 [cruelty to children 3rd];
(B)  Any act described by Code Section 16-5-73 [child present at meth lab];
(C)  Any act described by subsection (l) of Code Section 40-6-391 [DUI w/child in the car]              
(D)  Prenatal abuse, as such term is defined in Code Section 15-11-2.