- Valdosta, Ga. - June 04, 2012 -

It's about to become illegal for volunteers who work with kids to not report suspected child abuse in Georgia.

That's according to a new law starting July 1st. And Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens says it is more than a law, it's a moral obligation.

It's already illegal for people who get paid to work with children professionally to not act if they suspect abuse. But now the law extends to volunteer workers.

This applies to all kinds of programs from day care centers to Boys and Girls Clubs; anywhere that adults work with kids.

Eyewitness News reporter Greg Gullberg talked to folks at the Children's Advocacy Center in Valdosta to see what they think about it.

"Here at the Children's Advocacy Center we have both paid and volunteer workers. Our (volunteer) interns work as closely with the children as the staff do and it puts them in a perfect position to be able to help protect the children, and to keep them safe," said Joseph Driggers, Executive Director of the Children's Advocacy Center.

The Children's Advocacy Center offers support to victims of child abuse. The center is in need of toys, non-perishable foods and of course financial donations to help continue serving kids in need.

House Bill 1176 is a provision of Georgia's "Criminal Justice Reform Bill". It was signed by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal MAY 2nd.

The law takes effect July 1st.