JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster wants lawmakers to consider expanding the mandatory reporting of sexual abuse of a child.
Missouri law currently requires teachers, clergy and members of certain other professions to report child sex abuse to law enforcement. Koster said Tuesday he wants the Legislature to consider extending the mandatory reporting requirement to all citizens.
The attorney general says the sex abuse scandal at Pennsylvania State University points up differences in laws around the country on the obligation to notify law enforcement.
Koster said that as of April 2010, laws in 18 states require all citizens to report suspected abuse or neglect of children.