I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3486 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 18, 2011 Ms. Bass of California (for herself, Mr. Schilling, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Carnahan, Mr. Towns, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. Loebsack, Ms. Clarke of New York, and Ms. Richardson) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To amend the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to require States receiving funds under section 106 of such Act to have in effect a State law providing for a criminal penalty on an individual who fails to report witnessing another individual engaging in sexual abuse of a child.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Speak Out to Stop Child Abuse Act or the SOS Child Abuse Act.

2.

Requirement on States receiving grants for child abuse and neglect prevention and treatment programs

(a)

In general

Section 106(b)(2) of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a(b)(2)) is amended— (1)in subparagraph (F), by striking and at the end; (2)in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (3)by adding at the end the following: (H)an assurance in the form of a certification by the Governor of the State that the State has in effect and is enforcing a State law providing for a criminal penalty on an individual 18 years of age or older who fails to report to a State or local law enforcement official or child protective services that the individual has witnessed another individual in the State engaging in sexual abuse of a child. . (b)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on December 31, 2013.