Committee adopts amendment and advances bill expanding mandatory-reporting duties

Senate Bill 556 would expand mandated-reporter responsibilities to address modern contexts and reporting gaps identified by local prosecutors. Senator Perry introduced the bill, offered a verbal amendment to narrow a code citation to 18.2-374.3 (intended to target specific offenses involving minors), and explained two incidents motivating the change: an assistant coach allegedly soliciting illicit images from a minor and a private-school headmaster allowing a convicted sex offender on campus for years without reporting (SEG 702-733).

Senators discussed training for mandated reporters and whether athletic staff and directors are already covered; Senator Perry said existing language likely included such roles and the amendment was intended as "belts and suspenders" to make responsibilities explicit (SEG 771-778). The committee adopted the verbal amendment and reported the bill 13–0 (SEG 792-796). Sponsor and committee members noted the measure may need coordination with local schools and prosecutors but did not record a fiscal impact on the committee floor.

The bill advances with an adopted narrowing of the statutory reference; committee discussion emphasized training and clarity for people in athletics and school roles.