Georgia’s law requiring certain people to report suspected child abuse has been widened to include a wide range of people.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that volunteers at churches, colleges, clubs, summer camps or soccer fields or parents who chaperone a field trip could be jailed if they fail to report suspected abuse under the new provision approved by lawmakers last week.
The change, when it becomes law, will mandate reporting by any employee or volunteer at any kind of agency, business, nonprofit or other group that works with children.
Violators of the reporting mandate can be charged with a misdemeanor and face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.