AN ACT REQUIRING PROVIDERS OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE AND COUNSELING TO BE MANDATORY REPORTERS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

SB 258 requires reproductive health care providers and counselors to report suspected child abuse or neglect as mandatory reporters, expanding existing reporting requirements. This law directly affects clinics and professionals providing services like contraception, abortion, or pregnancy counseling. The key provision mandates these providers to report such cases to authorities, with financial penalties for failure to comply. The stated purpose is to strengthen child protection by broadening the pool of individuals legally obligated to report abuse. This is a substantive policy change affecting healthcare delivery in reproductive health settings.