Lawmakers debate bill requiring witnesses to report child sexual abuse
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Lawmakers debate bill requiring witnesses to report child sexual abuse

Date: January 30, 2013
By: Michael Doudna
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB 113

Intro: 
Some Missouri lawmakers are wary of innocent bystanders becoming criminals in child sexual abuse cases.
RunTime:  0:35
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Missouri lawmakers are discussing potential drawbacks of a bill that would make it a misdemeanor for witnesses not to report child sexual abuse. 

According to Jackson County Senator Dem. Jolie Justus the bill could force parents to chose between incriminating their own child or themselves.

Actuality:  JUSTUS1.WAV
Run Time:  00:09
Description: it puts parents and guardians in a particularly dangerous place and so I couldn't remember how we resolved this issue last year, I'm remembering now that we didn't.

Some members of the Senate Judiciary Committee said the bill could cause innocent bystanders to be charged with a crime.

From Jefferson City, I'm Michael Doudna.