State House Approves Child Protection Reforms

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota House lawmakers have voted unanimously to strengthen the state's child-protection system.

The legislators passed a bill Monday to undo a law preventing social workers from considering past reports of child abuse when deciding whether to investigate new ones. The bill comes after high-profile cases where children died or were injured after social service workers didn't act on signs of abuse.

Bill author Rep. Ron Kresha says it's the first step in reforming the system. The Little Falls Republican plans to recommend further tweaks later this session.

Kresha serves on a task force that also recommended social workers send reports of child abuse to law enforcement even when they decide not to investigate them.

The state Senate has yet to act on the bill.