If a college football coach suspected a child was sexually abused in Maryland or Washington he would be required by law to tell authorities — but not if he worked in Virginia.

In light of the recent allegations of child sexual assault involving former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, state mandatory reporting laws have attracted scrutiny from advocacy groups and concerned citizens. Legendary Penn State head coach Joe Paterno was recently fired for not going far enough beyond the small circle of university employees in reporting a credible tip that Sandusky raped a child in athletic department showers.