SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS for SB 2170

    Amendment No.    

                            CHAMBER ACTION
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11  Senators Ostalkiewicz and Dudley moved the following

12  substitute for amendment (430776):

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14         Senate Amendment 

15         On page 76, line 5, delete that line

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17  insert:

18         (10)  In lieu of, or subsequent to, the administrative

19  procedures provided in this section, a person who knowingly

20  and willfully makes a false report of abuse, abandonment, or

21  neglect of a child, or a person who counsels another to make a

22  false report may be civilly liable for damages suffered

23  including reasonable attorney fees and costs as a result of

24  the filing of the false report. If the name of the person who

25  filed the false report or counseled another to do so has not

26  been disclosed under subsection (9), the department as

27  custodian of the records may be named as a party in the suit

28  until the court determines upon an in camera inspection of the

29  records and report that there is a reasonable basis for

30  believing that the report was false and that the identity of

31  the reporter may be disclosed for the purpose of proceeding

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS for SB 2170

    Amendment No.    





 1  with a lawsuit for civil damages resulting from the filing of

 2  the false report. The alleged perpetrator may submit witness

 3  affidavits to assist the court in making this initial

 4  determination.

 5         (11) (10)  Any person making a report who is acting in

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