In 2022, there were 80,000 reports of potential child maltreatment made across Minnesota counties with 80% of those reports originating from mandated reporters.
On Wednesday, Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota testified in support of a bill that would better train those mandatory reporters.
HF1346, sponsored by Rep. Jim Nash (R-Waconia), would require at least half of the training time to be spent on identifying signs of child maltreatment or abuse, including the definition of each type of maltreatment.
It would also require the state’s children, youth, and families commissioner to create training with input from professionals who have specialized knowledge related to child maltreatment.
“It’s really to elevate and try to standardize some of the training that goes on for mandatory reporters,” said Nash. “It’s going to get mandatory reporters better trained to identify what does abuse look like and how do we stop it.”
Check out the testimony and discussion here.
The House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee approved the bill Wednesday, sending it to the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee.
We will continue to keep our eye on this and other bills that could have a profound impact on children who are at risk of abuse. And we couldn’t do it without your support!
Safe Passage is advocating not only for data transparency, but also for improvements in our child welfare system. As the only government watchdog group of its kind in Minnesota, we invite you to join us in looking out for kids.