Requirements for mandatory reports of child maltreatment modification

This bill modifies Minnesota's mandatory reporting requirements for child maltreatment, expanding the scope of who must report and clarifying penalties for failure to report. It includes clergy members and other religious ministers in the list of mandatory reporters, while protecting confidential communications that are otherwise privileged under state law. The legislation also strengthens criminal penalties, making failure to report a gross misdemeanor and elevating it to a felony when multiple children are involved, while adding civil liability for false reports. Additionally, the bill prohibits organizations from having policies that discourage mandatory reporters from making required reports.