IT workers in South Carolina took on several unexpected responsibilities this year. In addition to having to report child pornography found on computers to the authorities, they're required to report child abuse and neglect. Computer technicians have been added to a list of professions--including nurses, dentists, schoolteachers, and undertakers--who must report to county officials if they have reason to believe that a child's physical or mental health "has been or may be affected by abuse or neglect."

The amendment is part of Bill 3891, signed into law July 20 by Gov. Jim Hodges. It protects IT professionals from civil and criminal liability if they report in error, but it doesn't protect them if their actions are proven to be malicious. South Carolina state Sen. Thomas Alexander says he doesn't believe that would happen anyway. "I have every confidence that they will use it in people's best interest and not abuse it." There are penalties for not reporting--up to six months in jail, up to $500 fine, or both.

The penalties weren't intended to harm IT employees, but to protect them, he says. That's because technicians have more justification now for reporting abuse and neglect. Alexander says that when computer technicians weren't on the reporting list but reported incidents anyway, people would question why. Now IT employees can say they were compelled by law to do it.

Currently, the law doesn't spell any restrictions on what IT workers should report. Says Alexander: "That's where common sense and judgment from IT will have to come into play."

Darrel Sisson, a systems analyst at PHB Die Casting in Fairview, Pa., isn't convinced that's such a good idea. "It scares me to death. The potential for abuse is just so great." He worries about employees who would use this as a tool for revenge, placing incriminating files on someone else's computer. "You'd have to be awful good to prove someone maliciously put something on a hard drive," he says. "I can't think of any way to do it." While he believes the lawmakers had good intentions, he hopes the law will be repealed. Says Sisson: "I would hate to live in South Carolina right now."

Sen. Alexander wonders what all the fuss is about: "If this is such a big concern, it makes me wonder how much is going on that IT people aren't reporting."