I
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3486
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 18, 2011
Ms. Bass of California (for herself, Mr. Schilling, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Carnahan, Mr. Towns, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Loebsack, Ms. Clarke of New York, and Ms. Richardson) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce
A BILL
To amend the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to require States receiving funds under section 106 of such Act to have in effect a State law providing for a criminal penalty on an individual who fails to report witnessing another individual engaging in sexual abuse of a child.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Speak Out to Stop Child Abuse
Act
or the SOS
Child Abuse Act
.
Requirement on States receiving grants for child abuse and neglect prevention and treatment programs
In general
Section 106(b)(2) of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a(b)(2)) is amended—
in subparagraph
(F), by striking and
at the end;
in subparagraph
(G), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
;
and
by adding at the end the following:
an assurance in the form of a certification by the Governor of the State that the State has in effect and is enforcing a State law providing for a criminal penalty on an individual 18 years of age or older who fails to report to a State or local law enforcement official or child protective services that the individual has witnessed another individual in the State engaging in sexual abuse of a child.
.
Effective date
The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on December 31, 2013.