Therapists have always had a duty to report suspected abuse, but
since Florida has passed what has been called the "nation's toughest child abuse reporting law," now is a good time to review your policies and procedures regarding child abuse.
According to an
article found in the Orlando Sentinel, the new law increases requirements to report suspected by universities and individual, including abuse not only by caretakers and parents but by other parties as well. The failure to report is now considered a felony and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is under instruction to make the reporting process easier and more user friendly.
The Orlando Sentinel provides a very high level summary, for the complete summary and bill,
click here to go to the Florida Senate bill summary.
