[Libs-Or] Mandatory Reporting Sample Policy Available

Thu Jan 17 12:11:33 PST 2013

In light of this discussion, I think this is a good time to remind library staff of the mandatory reporting information the State Library sent out several months ago.

The passage of HB 4016 has expanded the definition of mandatory reporters to include all "Employee[s] or volunteer[s] of a public or private organization providing child-related services or activities that allow the employee[s] or volunteer[s] temporary care, control or supervision of a child..."

The State Library recommends that all public libraries seek advice from their legal counsel regarding the newly amended Oregon State Statutes <http://www.leg.state.or.us/12reg/measpdf/hb4000.dir/hb4016.intro.pdf> 338.115, 339.370, 339.372, 339.374, 339.378, 339.388, 339.392, 339.400 and 419B.005. Depending on the advice from your legal counsel, your library may consider creating a policy, procedure, or training requirement around mandatory reporting. If your library is already working on something along these lines, please consider helping other libraries by sharing what you're doing via this listserv.

A couple libraries have asked the State Library for assistance identifying mandatory reporter training opportunities in order to comply with the law as advised by their legal counsel. I have worked with a Child Welfare Analyst at the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop a short, but valuable list of resources libraries may use to educate themselves around mandatory reporting:

·         Watch this 25 minute mandatory reporting video* <http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/abuse/mandatory_report.shtml>,

·         Read this mandatory reporting guide* <https://apps.state.or.us/Forms/Served/de9061.pdf>, and/or

·         Contact your local DHS<http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/children/localoffices.shtml> Children, Adults, and Families Division to inquire about face-to-face mandatory reporting training.
*The video and guide are a little out-of-date, but still provide reliable content. Please keep in mind that they will not define mandatory reporters as broadly as the new language.
If you have questions about mandatory reporting, first ask your local DHS <http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/children/localoffices.shtml> Children, Adults, and Families Division. If they are not able to assist you, then contact the state DHS office by calling 503-945-6116.

Katie Anderson, Library Development Services
* Youth Services Consultant * Oregon Center for the Book Coordinator *
Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
katie.anderson at state.or.us<mailto:katie.anderson at state.or.us>, 503-378-2528

From: libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Leah Griffith
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2013 11:29 AM
To: Diedre Conkling; libs-or
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] Mandatory Reporting Sample Policy Available

At a staff meeting, we used the video from the DHS site and gave each staff member a copy of the booklet that Katie has shared in her emails about this.   They were both useful.   We also had an officer from our police department who specialized in domestic crimes as a resource to expand a bit on what happens during a child abuse investigation and just answer questions.   It was very positive.   Future staff will likely just have the video and the booklet and a discussion with me or the assistant director as part of their orientation.

All staff do sign a form saying we've provided them with this training.   I've attached what we're using.

Leah
******************************
Leah M. Griffith
Director,   Newberg Public Library     503-537-1256

From: libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us> [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Diedre Conkling
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2013 11:04 AM
To: libs-or
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] Mandatory Reporting Sample Policy Available

I think Buzzy has this right.  They decided to expand the legislation and decided not to list every type this time.  There is even some indication that the law will be further expanded in the future.  So more people will be mandatory reporters, not fewer people.  I know that the legislator who brought the bill to the Legislature in the first place would like to do this.

So, whether we like it or not, library staff are included in this legislation.
On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 10:59 AM, Buzzy Nielsen <buzzy at hoodriverlibrary.org<mailto:buzzy at hoodriverlibrary.org>> wrote:
Hi Dan,

I can't speak to the legislative intent of the law, but I can say that our legal counsel pretty clearly felt that the law applied to library staff as written, even if it didn't specifically call us out. Special Districts Association of Oregon, an umbrella group that supports the district libraries in the state, believes the same. Library staff also fall within the purview of "public official" with other state regulations, such as the government ethics and transparency regulations.

Cheers!
Buzzy Nielsen

************************************
Library Director
Hood River County Library District
502 State St
Hood River, OR 97031
541-387-7062<tel:541-387-7062>
http://hoodriverlibrary.org

On 01/17/2013 10:53 AM, dan cawley wrote:
Having read both HB 4016 and DHS doc.4016 several times, one question immediately springs to mind.
Within the definitions of  "public or private official," over twenty occupations are listed (firefighter, optometrist, member of the clergy, etc.).
Neither document contains language using the word library, librarians, library assistant, page, clerk.
In a field so closely connected to children's services, can anyone explain why the draftees failed to include the word library?
This glaring omission is perplexing.
Dan Cawley
Seaside Public Library

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--
Diedre Conkling
Lincoln County Library District
P.O. Box 2027
Newport, OR 97365
Phone & Fax: 541-265-3066
Work email: diedre at lincolncolibrarydist.org<mailto:diedre at lincolncolibrarydist.org>
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"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."―Maya Angelou
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