Bill Text: MS HB356 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Child abuse; expand immunity for good faith reports.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-04-16 - Approved by Governor [HB356 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2021-HB356-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B
By: Representative Mims
House Bill 356
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-21-355, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXPAND THE IMMUNITY FOR MAKING GOOD FAITH REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT TO INCLUDE PERSONS WHO PARTICIPATE IN AN INVESTIGATION, EVALUATION OR JUDICIAL PROCEEDING RESULTING FROM THE REPORT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 43-21-355, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
43-21-355. Any attorney,
physician, dentist, intern, resident, nurse, psychologist, social worker,
family protection worker, family protection specialist, child caregiver,
minister, law enforcement officer, school attendance officer, public school
district employee, nonpublic school employee, licensed professional counselor
or any other person participating in the making of a required report pursuant
to Section 43-21-353 or participating in * * * an investigation, evaluation or
judicial proceeding resulting * * * from the report shall be
presumed to be acting in good faith. Any person or institution reporting or
participating in an investigation, evaluation or judicial proceeding resulting from
the report in good faith shall be immune from any liability, civil or
criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.