New law compels volunteers to report abuse - FOX 35 News Orlando

New law compels volunteers to report abuse

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ATLANTA -

A new law changed last year compels those who work with or around children either professionally or as a volunteer to report child abuse or neglect.

Background checks are already required for youth baseball managers, coaches and volunteers, but now those same individuals could face criminal charges if they do not report what they believe to be a child who has been abused.

The new law is known as the Mandated Reporter Law. It was put in place in Georgia following the Jerry Sandusky Case. The law states that adults who work with or around children need to report possible abuse incidents within 24 hours.

Some organizations such as Druid Hills Baseball are going a step further and requiring volunteers to pass an online course about the law before they are allowed to participate.

The online course is free and sponsored by the Governor's Office for Children and Families. It takes about an hour to complete. The course outlines the responsibilities of volunteers under the new law.

If you are interested in taking the course, visit gocftrainingonline.com.

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