April 24, 2008
Contact: Reichel Feicht
(916) 319-2017
SACRAMENTO– Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani (D- Livingston) will hold a Capitol press conference April 28 calling for passage of her anti-crime bill, AB 1475, that would require computer support professionals to report suspected child abuse.
“Protecting California’s children from abuse is my number one priority,” said Assemblymember Galgiani. “As soon as this bill becomes law we will have a new weapon in the ever-changing fight against abusers.”
Current law already requires teachers, firefighters, doctors and others to report child abuse when they suspect as much during the course of their employment. However, commercial computer technicians are not required to report suspicions of child abuse and pornography under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). This bipartisan bill, dubbed the “Geek Squad/Peek Squad” bill by supporters, simply adds these professionals to the list of mandated reporters.
The bill is to be heard April 29 in the Senate Public Safety Committee.
| Who: | Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani (D-Livingston) Crime Victim’s United of California, the National Center for Missing and Abused Children, the California State Sheriffs Association, and 24 other California County Sheriffs. |
| What: | Press Conference Urging Passage of AB 1475, a bill to require computer technicians to report suspected child abuse |
| When: | Monday, April 28th 11:30am |
| Where: | Governor’s Press Conference Room, Room 1190 |