Legislation

Title 10 United States Code (USC) §1787, "Reporting of Child Abuse," January 7, 2011  This law mandates reporting of known or suspected instances of child abuse or neglect by military personnel.

Title 42 USC Chapter 67, "The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), Febuary 1, 2010 This law, among other things, creates a national advisory board for child maltreatment. Originally enacted in 1974 (P.L. 93-247), CAPTA is one of the key pieces of legislation that guides child protection.  It was reauthorized in 1978, 1984, 1988, 1992, and 1996.  In 2003, the act was amended with the "Keeping Families Safe Act."  With each reauthorization, amendments have been made to CAPTA that have expanded and refined the scope of the law that provides a foundation for a national definition of child abuse and neglect.