Modifying the process of mandatory reporting.

HB 5555 amends West Virginia's mandatory child abuse reporting law to require certain professionals - including teachers, healthcare workers, social workers, and child care providers - to immediately report suspected sexual abuse, sexual assault, or serious physical abuse to local law enforcement, in addition to the existing requirement of reporting all suspected abuse to the Department of Health and Human Resources within 24 hours. The bill also mandates that schools provide written reporting guidelines to employees and obtain signed acknowledgments of receipt. This change applies specifically to serious cases where reporters have reasonable cause to believe a child suffered severe harm. The existing 24-hour reporting window for all abuse to child welfare agencies remains unchanged.