GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Colorado has made some changes to its mandatory reporting laws for suspected child abuse or neglect.

Mesa County Child Welfare and Adult Protection Division Director Joe Kellerby says the law now makes it clearer that suspected abuse or neglect must be reported as soon as possible.

"That means within 24 hours, and previously it was within 72 hours."

The responsibility to report can't be passed off by telling someone else about the suspected abuse.

"No longer are reports going to be allowed if somebody is telling somebody something else that happened, third-hand knowledge… It needs to be that person that has firsthand knowledge."

The third change is that victim advocates are no longer mandated reporters.

"The purpose behind that is so that survivors of c

See Full Page