Should Juvenile Corrections Officers Be Required to Report Child Abuse?

State Representative Joel Kleefisch of Oconomowoc and Senator LaTonya Johnson of Milwaukee are introducing legislation that will add juvenile corrections officers to the list of mandatory reporters of child abuse. 

Right now, those in certain professions, such as nurses, doctors, and counselors, are required by law to report child abuse and neglect. 

The bi-partisan Kleefisch-Johnson bill will require juvenile corrections officers to report child abuse and neglect.

“The goal is to prevent horrific abuse happening to youth under any circumstance,” said Representative Kleefisch.  â€œWhile youth in correctional facilities need discipline, no child should be abused.” 

The bill is now being circulated for co-sponsors in the Legislature.  After that, the bill will be formally introduced and sent to committee, where it will proceed through the bill-making process.