House Bill 2902: Making a False Child Abuse Report a Felony

Sponsor:
Representative Pihos

Summary:
H.B. 2902 amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and the Criminal Code of 1961. It provides that a person is guilty of a Class 4 felony if he or she knowingly transmits a false report of child abuse or neglect to the Department of Child and Family Services.

Status:
House Bill 2902, sponsored by, the "Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act" has passed the House and is presently sitting in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Requested Action:
None at this time

Background:
Many homeschoolers are routinely subjected to social worker investigations based on completely false allegations. Often such false tipsters face insignificant or no consequences.

H.B. 2902 amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and the Criminal Code of 1961. It provides that a person is guilty of a Class 4 felony if he or she knowingly transmits a false report of child abuse or neglect to DCFS:

"Any person who knowingly transmits a false report to the Department commits the offense of disorderly conduct under subsection (a)(7) of Section 26 1 of the 'Criminal Code of 1961.'

"Any person who violates this provision a second or subsequent time shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony."

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