A bill that would close a loophole in the state's child abuse reporting law has passed a State Senate Committee.
Under current law, private schools are not required to report incidents of child abuse. But the bill introduced by State Senator Patrick Gallivan of Elma would close that loophole and require private school administrators to report any abuse allegations to law enforcement.
Gallivan said he acted after reports surfaced of abuse incidents perpetrated by teachers at the Nichols School many years ago.
The bill will now go before the full Senate for a vote.