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Bill Summary · SJ 31

Summary — SJ 31: Interim study of mandatory reporting

Status: (H) Died in Standing Committee
Introduced: January 8, 2025
Bill type: Joint Resolution
Primary sponsor: Sen. Dennis Lenz
Subject areas: Mandatory reporting; Crimes, Discrimination & Human Rights; Family Law; Minors; Interim Legislative Studies; Statutory

Purpose / intent

SJ 31 is a legislative joint resolution authorizing an interim study of mandatory reporting requirements. The stated aim is to review existing mandatory‑reporting statutory frameworks and their implementation — particularly as they relate to minors and related public‑safety and family‑welfare systems — and to identify potential statutory, administrative, training, or resource changes that the Legislature could consider.

Note: The full text of the resolution content is not provided in the record supplied. The description above is drawn from the bill title, subject classifications, and committee referrals.

Key procedural actions and timeline

  • 2025-01-08: Introduced (Senate).
  • 2025-01-24: Senate public hearing recorded; favorable report and placed on calendar.
  • 2025-01-28: Adopted by the Senate (on consent calendar) and immediately transmitted to the House; adopted by the House in concurrence the same day (rules suspended).
  • April 2025: Reintroduced in legislative drafting/finalization (LC actions); referred in the Senate to Public Health, Welfare and Safety; a fiscal note was received/printed (April 16).
  • April 25, 2025: Transmitted to the House, first reading and referred to the House Human Services Committee; House hearing held.
  • April 28, 2025: Tabled in House Human Services Committee.
  • 2025-05-23: Died in House Standing Committee (Human Services).

The resolution was therefore approved by the Senate but did not advance to final action in the House before dying in committee.

Likely scope and topics for the study (based on subject matter)

Although the resolution text is not available, an interim study on mandatory reporting typically examines:
- Which parties are designated as mandated reporters (e.g., educators, medical professionals, social workers, law enforcement);
- Definitions and thresholds for reportable conduct (child abuse/neglect, vulnerable adults, certain crimes);
- Reporting processes, timelines, and protections (confidentiality, immunity from civil liability);
- Training, guidance, and compliance rates among mandated reporters;
- Interagency communication, data sharing, and case‑management pathways;
- Resource needs and any fiscal implications for agencies that receive or investigate reports;
- Gaps or unintended consequences affecting minors, families, or professionals.

Who would be affected

  • Mandated reporters (teachers, health care providers, social workers, law enforcement, etc.)
  • Children and minors and their families
  • Child protective services and other investigative agencies
  • Courts, prosecutors, and service providers
  • Legislative committees that would consider resulting recommendations

Potential impacts

  • The study could produce recommendations for statutory amendments, administrative rule changes, additional training or funding, or clarifications to reporting duties and protections.
  • A fiscal note was prepared (April 16), indicating potential cost implications if the study’s recommendations required new resources; however, no enacted measures followed because the resolution died in committee.

Related bill

  • LC 498 is listed as replaced by this measure (notation: “LC 498 (replaces)”).

Next steps / considerations

Because SJ 31 died in House committee, its study did not proceed under this resolution. Stakeholders interested in mandatory‑reporting reform may:
- Monitor for reintroduction of similar resolutions or bills,
- Engage with House Human Services or Senate Public Health, Welfare and Safety committees,
- Review the fiscal note (April 16) and any committee hearing records for detail if available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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