Ordinance No. __________, Series 2017
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AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 35 OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT CODE OF ORDINANCES (LMCO) TO REQUIRE REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE.
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SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL MEMBERS LEET, FOWLER, JAMES, SEXTON SMITH, GREEN, PARKER, WELCH, REED, SHANKLIN, JOHNSON, WOOLRIDGE, STUCKEL, BUTLER, MULVIHILL, BENSON, ENGEL, DENTON, PEDEN, HAMILTON AND ACKERSON
WHEREAS, child abuse is a community problem and finding solutions depends on involvement among people throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, the number of substantiated child abuse and neglect findings in Kentucky has steadily risen from 9,934 in fiscal 2012 to 15,378 in fiscal 2016; and
WHEREAS, Kentucky is one of only 16 states that require everyone to report child abuse; and
WHEREAS, the state law is intended to protect our children by requiring citizens to speak up to the authorities when they reasonably believe a horrible crime is being committed; and
WHEREAS, KRS § 620.030 applies to all persons already, including all Metro Employees and states that: “Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child is dependent, neglected, or abused shall immediately cause an oral or written report to be made to a local law enforcement agency or the Department of Kentucky State Police; the cabinet or its designated representative; the Commonwealth's attorney or the county attorney; by telephone or otherwise.”; and
WHEREAS, Louisville Metro Council seeks to strengthen this important reporting requirement by mandating that Louisville Metro employees with knowledge of child abuse involving any Louisville Metro Police Department employee be required to report any child abuse allegations to an agency other than the Louisville Metro Police Department.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT (THE COUNCIL) AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: LMCO § 35.200 is hereby added as follows:
§ 35.200 REPORTING CHILD ABUSE
(A) Any Louisville Metro employee who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child is abused shall immediately cause an oral or written report to be made in compliance with KRS § 620.030. If the child abuse concerns allegations against any Louisville Metro Police Department employee, the report shall also be made to the Department of Kentucky State Police, the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, or the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or its designated representative.
(B) Any Louisville Metro employee found to be in violation of this subsection may be disciplined, up to and including termination.
SECTION II: This Ordinance shall take effect upon its passage and approval.
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_______________________________ H. Stephen Ott Metro Council Clerk |
_____________________________ David Yates President of the Council |
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_______________________________ Greg Fischer Mayor |
_____________________________ Approval Date |
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
BY: ____________________________
CW Leet Child Abuse Reporting sjm 6-15-17.docx