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Bus drivers will be mandated to report suspected abuse
September 10, 2009
AUGUSTA — Bus drivers will be added to the list of mandated reporters of child abuse Sept. 12 when a bill sponsored by Rep. Rob Eaton, D-Sullivan, goes into effect.
The bill, LD 427, passed unanimously in the House and Senate and had the support of the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Maine and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Child and Family Services. Bills approved in the first session of the Legislature go into effect 90 days after adjournment.
“I’m happy that as our children go back to school this fall they will have the extra protection that this law provides,” said Eaton. “School bus drivers have a unique relationship with the children they see every day and will be a valuable asset in preventing child abuse.”
Maine currently has a list of more than 30 professions that are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect that includes dentists, teachers, film processors and child care workers. Those on the list are required to complete a brief training and report abuse to the Department of Health and Human Services.
School bus drivers and attendants are another important piece of the prevention puzzle. Unlike teachers, a child may have the same bus drivers for many years. Bus drivers frequently have verbal interaction with children and observe parents and children together. They also see children in a less structured environment than the classroom and they observe interaction with peers.
Mandated reporter training is free and can be completed online from home at Maine.Gov.
Contact:
Rep. Rob Eaton, 422-3918
Lori Eschholz, legislative aide, 287-1430