Scott Signs Bill For Stricter Child Abuse Penalties
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – Stricter penalties will be implemented in Florida for those who witness possible child abuse offenses and choose to remain silent.
Rick Scott signed a bill Friday that will establish stricter criminal penalties for individuals who fail to report child abuse and increase the requirements for reporting known or suspected child abuse.
The bill will also authorize additional spending to support victims of sexual abuse to increase the state's capacity to process additional reporting.
The measure will impose fines of $1 million on public or private colleges and universities if they fail to report child abuse, a response to sex abuse cover-ups at Penn State and Syracuse universities.
The law previously only required reporting if the suspected abuser was a parent, guardian or responsible for the child's welfare.
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