Conn. Considers Making College Coaches Report Abuse

HARTFORD (AP) – Connecticut does not require college coaches to report suspected child abuse, but the scandal at Penn State has some state officials pushing to mandate they notify authorities if they think children are being harmed.

State Rep. Diana Urban plans to hold a public hearing next month to gather information about so-called mandatory reporting, which would shape legislation during the upcoming session of the General Assembly. She also wants to consider a statewide policy governing the protection of children who interact with university athletic programs, given a scandal involving an assistant basketball coach fired by Syracuse University.

“We want to know specifically what you are doing to protect the children on your campuses,” said Urban, D-North Stonington, co-chairwoman of the legislature’s Select Committee on Children. “We want to be sure every single facet of this is covered, and we want to focus on adults who come into contact with children.”

At Penn State, former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky has been charged with molesting 10 boys, some on campus, and two school officials have been charged with failing to properly report allegations of child sex abuse. At Syracuse, former assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine has been accused of molesting boys, including on road trips with the team. He denies the claims and has not been charged.

In more than 40 states, coaches must report suspected abuse to police or child-protection authorities.

Under current Connecticut law, myriad occupations are required to report suspected child abuse to the state Department of Children and Families or to police. They include teachers, day care workers, clergy, doctors, social workers and coaches at elementary, middle and high schools.