HB 5219

Abstract

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Expands the circumstances under which medical personnel must notify local law enforcement of injuries. Requires notification for injuries that reasonably appear to have resulted from stabbing. Provides that injuries that must be reported by medical personnel if sustained in the commission of or as a victim of a criminal offense, include, but are not limited to: death, head injury (skull fracture, brain damage, or bleeding in the brain, such as subdural hematoma or shaken-baby syndrome), internal injury, burning, scalding, poison or noxious substance exposure, bone fracture, sexual penetration, and any other physical injury suggestive of or related to sexual molestation or sexual exploitation. Provides that any hospital, physician, or nurse who willfully fails to notify the local law enforcement agency as required shall be reported to the appropriate professional organizations and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for disciplinary action and, for a first offense, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Sets forth that any person who violates this reporting requirement a second or subsequent time commits a Class 4 felony. Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that reports of suspected child abuse or neglect made to the central register through the State-wide, toll-free telephone number shall be immediately transmitted to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. Provides that all oral reports made by the Department of Children and Family Services to local law enforcement personnel and the office of the State's Attorney of the involved county shall be confirmed in writing within 24 (instead of 48) hours of the oral report. Provides that the Department may adopt rules expressly allowing law enforcement personnel to investigate reports of suspected child abuse or neglect concurrently with the Department, without regard to whether the Department determines a report to be "indicated" or "unfounded" or deems a report to be "undetermined". Effective immediately.