REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

SEC. 5054. REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. (a) Concerning AFDC Applicants and Recipients.— (1) In general.—Section 402(a)(16) (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(16)) is amended to read as follows: “(16) provide that the State agency will— “(A) report to an appropriate agency or official, known or suspected instances of physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child receiving aid under this part under circumstances which indicate that the child’s health or welfare is threatened thereby; and 104 STAT. 1388–229 “(B) provide such information with respect to a situation described in subparagraph (A) as the State agency may have;”. (2) Conforming amendments.— Section 402(a)(9) (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(9)) is amended— (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking “and”; and (B) by inserting “, and (E) reporting and providing information pursuant to paragraph (16) to appropriate authorities with respect to known or suspected child abuse or neglect” before the 1st semicolon. (b) Concerning Recipients of Foster Care or Adoption Assistance.—. (1) In general.—Section 471(a)(9) (42 U.S.C. 671(a)(9)) is amended to read as follows: “(9) provides that the State agency will— “(A) report to an appropriate agency or official, known or suspected instances of physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child receiving aid under part B or this part under circumstances which indicate that the child’s health or welfare is threatened thereby; and “(B) provide such information with respect to a situation described in subparagraph (A) as the State agency may have;”. (2) Conforming amendments.— Section 471(a)(8) (42 U.S.C. 67 l(a)(8)) is amended— (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking “and”; and (B) by inserting “, and (E) reporting and providing information pursuant to paragraph (9) to appropriate authorities with respect to known or suspected child abuse or neglect” before the 1st semicolon. (c) Effective Date.—The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to benefits for months beginning on or after the first day of the 6th calendar month following the month in which this Act is enacted.