Norma Champion was wise in physically distancing herself from Rep. Mark Wright and Speaker Catherine Hannaway Aug. 25 during their press conference at the Regional Girls Center. 

Catherine Hannaway spoke of their new law that requires mandated reporters to give their names when calling in a hot line. My understanding was that in America, the accused have a right to know the accuser and the charges that have been leveled. What about no anonymous reporting? What about investigating the sources of multiple unsubstantiated hot line calls and the prosecution of those who abuse the system? 

There are no real protections against hot line abuse in this legislation. This is one flaw of many. Mark Wright admitted the failures of their law when he stated that he was "not certain the bill would accomplish what it set out to do." 

I have a suggestion. Give the workers the proper tools to perform their jobs, hold them personally accountable if they do not in good faith follow written directive, and prosecute everyone who breaks the law.

Robert M. Brantley, Springfield