Hobbs signs bill to expand protections for children reporting sexual abuse in Arizona schools

PHOENIX — Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill that expands protections for students in Arizona public schools on Monday.

Senate Bill 1437 will expand the list of people required to report suspicions of child sexual abuse to law enforcement officers, tribal governments or the Arizona Department of Child Safety.

Under the new child abuse reporting law, substitute teachers and school governing board members will be mandated reporters. The law also expands whistleblower protections for those who report allegations.

Maricopa County attorney calls child abuse reporting law a ‘win’ for Arizona children

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said the passage of this law is a win for Arizona’s children.

“I am deeply grateful to Sen. Carine Werner who recognized the need, sponsored this bill and worked hard to gain its passage,” Mitchell said in a Monday news release. “I also thank Gov. Hobbs for seeing the value in this legislation and signing it into law.”

The law outlines various other clear rules for reporting allegations of abuse within Arizona public schools. Merely mentioning abuse allegations to a supervisor or SRO isn’t sufficient; school employees must now directly report to law enforcement agencies or the state’s department of child safety.

How does Arizona child abuse reporting law change school procedures?

SB1437 also requires that students reporting sexual abuse speak with forensic interviewers, rather than teachers, administrators or school resource officers (SROs), who may not be trained to discuss these topics with children in a trauma-informed manner.

This extra step is critical, according to Mitchell.

“My office has received far too many reports of a child who told a teacher or school resource officer … what had happened to them, but the case couldn’t be pursued because there were so many errors in the way the interview of the child was conducted or the investigation was handled,” Mitchell said. “Now, we have a law that sets forth a precise process so we can advocate for and protect these kids.”

When will Arizona child abuse reporting law go into effect?

The new law will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.

The bill was one of seven laws Hobbs passed on Monday.

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