Improved training for identifying signs of child maltreatment, abuse goal of House bill

In 2022, there were 80,000 reports of potential child maltreatment made across Minnesota counties with 80% of those reports originating from mandated reporters.

To 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.”

The House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee approved the bill Wednesday, sending it to the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee.

Melissa DeBilzan, interim executive director of Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota, was in favor of the bill.

“This is a simple common-sense bill that can have a profound impact on protecting Minnesota's children, to ensure mandated reporters receive comprehensive, expert, informed training to help keep children safe.”

In Minnesota, welfare agencies must offer training to individuals mandated to report child maltreatment and abuse. The training courses are not required to be completed by mandatory reporters.