Mountjoy introduces sexual abuse bill

Rep. Dennis Mountjoy (R-La Crescenta) has introduced a bill in the

House of Representatives that would place more rigorous reporting

requirements on healthcare professionals.

Dubbed the Sexual Abuse of Children Reporting Act, the bill would

require health-care providers to report to law enforcement any

knowledge that a minor has a sexually transmitted disease or is

pregnant. Law enforcement could investigate for abuse of the child.

If abuse was found, the investigating agency would put the child in

protective custody.

Failure to report would be a misdemeanor for the first two

violations. A third failure would be a felony.

Ryan Carter