Effective January 1, 2015, AB 1432 requires school districts, county offices of education, state special schools and diagnostic centers operated by the State Department of Education, and charter schools to provide annual training to all employees and persons working on their behalf, who are mandated reporters, as defined in Section 11165.7 of the Penal Code.
Per AB 1432, the training requirement may be satisfied by using an online training module to be provided by the State Department of Social Services or through other training sources as long the school district, county office of education, state special schools or diagnostic centers, reports to the Department what training has been used in place of the online training module.
All persons required to be trained must provide proof of completing the training within the first six (6) weeks of each school year or within the first six (6) weeks of that person’s employment. Although the training will be an annual requirement, mandated reporter training must also be completed by school personnel hired during the course of the school year. Therefore, any personnel hired during the school year on or after January 1, 2015, must provide proof of completing mandated reporter training that meets the requirements of AB 1432 within the first six weeks of their employment.
What This Means To You
Since the new law is not effective until Jan 1, 2015, the obligation to complete training for existing employees within the first six weeks of the school year will start with the 2015-2016 school year. However, employers who did not provide/require mandated reporting training this school year should consider providing training after January 1, 2015, to ensure employees understand their mandated reporting responsibilities and help reduce employer exposure to potential liability should abuse occur.
All new employees hired after January 1, 2015, will be required to complete mandated reporter training within the first 6 weeks of their employment. If the online training module to be developed by the State Department of Social Services is not available at that time, school employers will need to identify another training source and specify to the State Department of Social Services what training was used. KMTG attorneys conduct the required training to meet this new legal obligation. For more information visit KMTG's website at:
https://kmtg.com/resources/training/ab-1432-mandatory-child-abuse-and-neglect-mandated-reporter-training
Questions
If you have any questions concerning the content of this Legal Alert, please contact the following from our office, or the attorney with whom you normally consult.
Michelle L. Cannon, William F. Schuetz, or S. Diane Beall | 916-321-4500