COLUMBIA, MO. (AP) -- Missouri Attorney General Chris a Koster said lawmakers should reconsider the state's requirements on reporting sexual abuse of children.
The Columbia Daily Tribune reports that Koster wants Missouri to join 18 other states that require everyone to report suspected abuse or neglect of children. Right now, only certain professionals, such as teachers or physicians, are required to do so.
Koster said in a statement that the recent allegations of sex abuse at Penn State highlight nationwide disparities in how state laws handle reporting child sexual abuse.
But others say lawmakers should be cautious about drafting legislation in response to a specific situation. Their concern is that adding mandatory reporters could mean including people who can't distinguish between abuse, neglect and more benign behavior.
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