Relating to reports of false information regarding an alleged act of child abuse, family assessments, and making penalties applicable

This bill relates to reports of false information regarding an alleged act of child abuse and family assessments. Under current law, a person who reports or causes to be reported to the department of health and human services (department) false information regarding an alleged act of child abuse, knowing that the information is false or that the act did not occur, commits a simple misdemeanor. The bill increases the current penalty for knowingly making a false report of alleged child abuse from a simple misdemeanor to a class “D” felony. A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than days and a fine of at least $105 but not more than $855. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245.68(5)(c) concerning any child in the care of the person who knowingly made a false report of alleged child abuse.