State Laws Regarding Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse...State Laws Regarding Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse (Last Updated September 2016) National Center for the Prosecution of

State Laws Regarding Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse

(Last Updated September 2016)

National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse

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National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse

National District Attorneys Association

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ALABAMA ...................................................................................................................... 14 Ala. Code § 26-14-3 (2016). Mandatory reporting. ...................................................... 14

Ala. Code § 26-14-4 (2016). Permissive reporting. ...................................................... 15 Ala. Code § 26-14-9 (2016). Immunity from liability for actions under chapter. ........ 15 Ala. Code § 26-14-10 (2016). Doctrine of priviliged communciations not grounds for

exclusion of evidence as to child’s injuries. ................................................................. 15 Ala. Code § 26-14-13 (2016). Penalty for failure to make required report. ................. 16

Ala. Code § 38-3-8 (2016). Powers and responsibilities of department. The Department

of Senior Services shall:................................................................................................ 16

ALASKA .......................................................................................................................... 17 Alaska Stat. § 47.17.010 (2016). Purpose. ................................................................... 17

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.020 (2016). Persons Required to Report. .................................... 18 Alaska Stat. § 47.17.023 (2016). Reports from certain persons regarding child

pornography. ................................................................................................................. 20 Alaska Stat. § 47.17.024 (2016). Duties of practitioners of the healing arts. ............... 20

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.025 (2016). Duties of public authorities. ..................................... 21 Alaska Stat. § 47.17.027 (2016). Duties of school officials. ........................................ 22 Alaska Stat. § 47.17.050 (2016). Immunity .................................................................. 22

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.060 (2016). Evidence not Privileged. .......................................... 22 Alaska Stat. § 47.17.068 (2016). Penalty for Failure to Report. ................................... 23

ARIZONA ........................................................................................................................ 23 ARIZ. REV. STAT. ANN. §13-3620 (2016). DUTY TO REPORT ABUSE, PHYSICAL INJURY,

NEGLECT AND DENIAL OR DEPRIVATION OF MEDICAL OR SURGICAL CARE OR

NOURISHMENT OF MINORS; MEDICAL RECORDS; EXCEPTION; VIOLATION;

CLASSIFICATION; DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................ 23 Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 32-3208 (2016). Criminal charges; mandatory reporting

requirements; civil penalty. ........................................................................................... 27

Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §13-3620.01 (2016). False reports; violation; classification ...... 27 Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-817 (2016). Initial screening and safety assessment and

investigation protocols. ................................................................................................. 28

ARKANSAS .................................................................................................................... 29 Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-401 (2016). Generally ........................................................... 29 Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-402 (2016). Mandated Reporters .......................................... 30 Ark. Code Ann. § 6-61-133 (2016). Training for mandatory reporters and licensed

elementary and secondary public school personnel. ..................................................... 33

Ark. Code Ann. § 12-8-509 (2016). Additional reporting required. (a) The state agency

or entity responsible for administering the twenty-four-hour toll-free Child Abuse

Hotline or investigating an incident of neglect as defined under § 12-18-103(13)(B)

shall: .............................................................................................................................. 34 Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-102 (2016). Purpose. ............................................................. 35 Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-201 (2016). Failure to notify by a mandated reporter in the

first degree. ................................................................................................................... 36 Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-202 (2016). Failure to notify by a mandated reporter in the

second degree. ............................................................................................................... 37



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Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-203 (2016). Making a false report under this chapter. ......... 38

Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-204 (2016). Unlawful Restriction of Child Abuse Reporting.

....................................................................................................................................... 38 Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-206 (2016). Civil liability for failure to report. .................... 39

Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-207 (2016). Judicial and prosecutorial disclosure ................ 39 Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-302 (2016). Mandated Reporters .......................................... 39 Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-303 (2016). Minimum requirements for a report to be

accepted......................................................................................................................... 39 Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-305 (2012). Garrett’s Law Reports. ...................................... 41

Ark. Code Ann. § 12-18-803 (2016). Privileged communications as evidence--

Exception ...................................................................................................................... 41 Ark. Code Ann. § 16-10-138 (2016). Mandatory reporter training. ............................. 42 REPEALED .................................................................................................................. 42

Ark. Code Ann. § 17-1-105 (2016). Notification of mandatory reporters. ................... 42

CALIFORNIA ................................................................................................................. 42 Cal.Penal Code § 11165.7 (2016). Mandated reporter defined .................................... 42 Cal.Penal Code § 11165.9 (2016). Reports of suspected child abuse or neglect .......... 47

Cal. Penal Code § 11166 (2016). Report of child abuse or neglect; mandatory

reporters; reasonable suspicion defined; form of report; criminal liability for failure to

report; investigation; other reporters; joint reports; retaliation prohibited; report by

county probation or welfare department, or law enforcement agency, to investigatory

agency and district attorney .......................................................................................... 48

Cal.Penal Code § 11166.01 (2016). Supervisors, administrators and other mandated

reporters; failure to report or impeding or inhibiting report of suspected child abuse or

neglect; violations and penalties ................................................................................... 53

Cal.Penal Code § 11167 (2016). Report; contents; confidentiality of identity of persons

reporting ........................................................................................................................ 53 Cal.Penal Code § 11172 (2016). ................................................................................... 55

COLORADO ................................................................................................................... 56 Colo. Rev. Stat. § 19-3-304 (2016). Persons required to report child abuse or neglect.

....................................................................................................................................... 56

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 19-3-305 (2016). Required Report of Postmortem Investigation. ... 60 Colo. Rev. Stat .Ann. § 19-3-307 (2016). Reporting Procedures. ................................ 60

Colo. Rev. Stat .Ann. §§ 19-3-309 (2016). Immunity from liability--persons reporting

....................................................................................................................................... 62 Colo. Rev. Stat .Ann. § 19-3-311 (2016). Evidence not privileged. ............................ 62

CONNECTICUT ............................................................................................................ 62 Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 17a-101 (2016). Protection of children from abuse. Mandated

reporters. Educational and training programs. Model mandated reporting policy ........... 62

Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 17a-101a (2016). Report of abuse, neglect or injury of child or

imminent risk of serious harm to child. Penalty for failure to report. Notification of

Chief State’s Attorney................................................................................................... 64

Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 17a-101b (2016). Oral report by mandated reporter.

Notification of law enforcement agency when allegation of sexual abuse or serious

physical abuse. Notification of person in charge of institution, facility or school when

staff member suspected of abuse or neglect ................................................................. 65



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Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 17a-101c (2016). Written Report by Mandated Reporter. .... 66

Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 17a-101d (2016). Contents of Oral and Written Reports. ..... 66 Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 17a-101e (2016). Employers prohibited from discrimination

against witness in child abuse proceeding. Penalty. Immunity for making report of

child abuse in good faith. False report of child abuse. Penalty..................................... 67 Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 17a-103 (2016). Reports by others. False reports. Notification

to law enforcement agency ........................................................................................... 67

DELAWARE ................................................................................................................... 68 Del. Code Ann. tit 16 § 903 (2016). Reports required. ................................................. 68

Del. Code Ann. tit 16 § 909 (2016). Privileged communication not recognized. ........ 69 Del. Code Ann. tit 16 § 914 (2016). Penalty for violation............................................ 69

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.......................................................................................... 69 D.C. Code § 4-1321.02 (2016). Persons required to make reports; procedure. ............ 69

D.C. Code § 4-1321.03 (2016). Nature and contents of reports. .................................. 71 D.C. Code § 4-1321.04 (2016). Immunity from liability.............................................. 72

D.C. Code § 4-1321.05 (2016). Privileges; waiver....................................................... 72 D.C. Code § 4-1321.07 (2016). Failure to make report. ............................................... 73

FLORIDA ........................................................................................................................ 73 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 39.201 (2016). Mandatory reports of child abuse, abandonment, or

neglect; mandatory reports of death; central abuse hotline. ......................................... 73

Fla. Stat. Ann. § 39.202 (2016). Confidentiality of reports and records in cases of child

abuse or neglect............................................................................................................. 79

Fla. Stat. Ann. § ............................................................................................................ 85 Fla. Stat. Ann. §39.204 (2016). Abrogation of privileged communications in cases

involving child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. .......................................................... 85

Fla. Stat. Ann. §39.205 (2016). Penalties relating to reporting of child abuse,

abandonment, ................................................................................................................ 86 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 39.206 (2016). Administrative fines for false report of abuse,

abandonment, or neglect of a child; civil damages ....................................................... 88

GEORGIA ....................................................................................................................... 90 Ga. Code Ann., § 19-7-5 (2016). Reports by physicians, treating personnel, institutions

and others as to child abuse; failure to report suspected child abuse ............................ 90 Credits: .......................................................................................................................... 95

Ga. Code Ann., § 16-12-100 (2016). Sexual exploitation of children. (a) As used in this

Code section, the term: ................................................................................................. 96 Ga. Code Ann., § 49-5-41 (2016). Certain persons and agencies to have reasonable

access to records. .......................................................................................................... 99

HAWAII ........................................................................................................................ 106 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 350-1.1 (2016). Reports. ................................................................ 106 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 350-1.15 (2016). Orientation and training ..................................... 107

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 350-1.2 (2016). Nonreporting; penalty. ........................................ 107 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 350-1.3 (2016). Any person may report. Any person, not otherwise

required to report pursuant to section 350-1.1, who becomes aware of facts or

circumstances which cause that person to have reason to believe that child abuse or

neglect has occurred or that there exists a substantial risk that child abuse or neglect

may occur in the reasonably foreseeable future, may immediately report the matter



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orally to the department or to the police department. ................................................. 108

Haw. Rev. Stat. § 350-1.4 (2016). Confidentiality. ................................................... 108 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 350-3 (2016). Immunity from liability. ........................................ 108 Haw. Rev. Stat. § 350-5 (2016). Admissibility of evidence. ...................................... 109

IDAHO ........................................................................................................................... 109 Idaho Code § 16-1605 (2016). Reporting of abuse, abandonment or neglect. ........... 109 Idaho Code § 16-1606 (2016). Immunity. .................................................................. 110 Idaho Code § 16-1607 (2016). Reporting in bad faith--Civil damages ...................... 110

ILLINOIS ...................................................................................................................... 111 325 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. § 5/4 (2016). Persons required to report; privileged

communications; transmitting false report.................................................................. 111 325 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. § 5/4.02 (2016). Failure to report suspected abuse or neglect.

..................................................................................................................................... 115

720 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. § 5/11-20.2 (2016). Duty of commercial film and

photographic print processors or computer technicians to report sexual depiction of

children. ...................................................................................................................... 115 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. § 5/8-803 (2016). Clergy. .................................................. 116

INDIANA ....................................................................................................................... 117 Ind. Code Ann. § 31-33-5-1 (2016). Duty to make report ......................................... 117 Ind. Code Ann. § 31-33-5-2 (2016). Notification of individual in charge of institution,

school, facility or agency; report ................................................................................ 117 Ind. Code Ann. § 31-33-5-3 (2016). Effect of compliance on individual's own duty to

report ........................................................................................................................... 117 Ind. Code Ann. § 31-33-5-4 (2016). Immediate oral report to department or law

enforcement agency .................................................................................................... 118

Ind. Code Ann. § 31-32-11-1 (2016). Admissibility of privileged communications. 118

Ind. Code Ann. § 31-33-7-4 (2016). Written report; content. .................................... 119 Ind. Code ann. § 31-33-18-2 (2016). Access to reports and other material. ............... 120 Ind. Code Ann. § 31-33-22-1 (2016). Failure to make report..................................... 123

Ind. Code Ann. § 31-33-22-3 (2016). False reports; criminal and civil liability;

notification of prosecuting attorney ............................................................................ 124

IOWA ............................................................................................................................. 125 Iowa Code Ann. § 232.69 (2016). Mandatory and permissive reporters--training

required. ...................................................................................................................... 125 Iowa Code Ann. § 232.70 (2016). Reporting procedure. ............................................ 128 Iowa Code Ann. § 232.71B (2016). Duties of the department upon receipt of report.

..................................................................................................................................... 130

Iowa Code Ann. § 232.74 (2016). Evidence not privileged or excluded. ................... 135 Iowa Code Ann. § 232.75 (2016). Sanctions. ............................................................. 136 Iowa Code Ann. § 728.14 (2016)................................................................................ 136

KANSAS ........................................................................................................................ 137 Kan. Stat. Ann. § 38-2223 (2016). Reporting of certain abuse or neglect of children;

persons reporting; reports, made to whom; penalties; immunity from liability ......... 137 Kan. Stat. Ann. § 38-2213 (2016). .............................................................................. 139 Kan. Stat. Ann. § 38-2249 (2016). Rules of evidence ................................................ 141

KENTUCKY ................................................................................................................. 143



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Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 620.030 (2016). Duty to report dependency, neglect, or abuse;

husband-wife and professional-client/patient privileges not grounds for refusal to

report; exceptions; penalties ....................................................................................... 143 Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 620.040 (2016). ....................................................................... 145

Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 620.050 (2016). ....................................................................... 148 Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 620.990 (2016). Penalty .......................................................... 153

LOUISIANA .................................................................................................................. 153 La. Child. Code Ann. Art. 603(15) (2012). Definitions ............................................. 153 La. Child. Code Ann. Art. 603.1 (2016). Required education; reporting child abuse. 155

La. Child . Code Ann. art. 609 (2016). Mandatory and permitted reporting. ............. 155 La. Child . Code Ann. art. 610 (2016). Reporting procedure. .................................... 156 La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 14:403 (2016). Abuse of children; reports; waiver of privilege.

..................................................................................................................................... 159

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 46:56(F)(8)(b) (2016). Applications and client case records;

definitions; confidentiality; waiver; penalty. .............................................................. 161

MAINE ........................................................................................................................... 161 Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22, § 4011-A (2016). Reporting of suspected abuse or neglect.

..................................................................................................................................... 161 Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22, § 4011-B (2016). Reporting of prenatal exposure to drugs

..................................................................................................................................... 166

Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22, § ...................................................................................... 167 Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22, § 4012 (2016). Reporting procedures. ............................ 167

Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22, § 4014 (2016). Immunity from liability .......................... 168 Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22, § 4015 (2016). Privileged or confidential communications.

..................................................................................................................................... 168

Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22, § 4016 (2016). Confidentiality of employee records ..... 168

Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22, § 4017 (2016). Discrimination ........................................ 169 Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22, § 3477 (2016). Persons mandated to report suspected

abuse, neglect or exploitation. .................................................................................... 169

MARYLAND ................................................................................................................. 173 Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-704 (2016). Reports of suspected abuse or neglect;

health practitioners, police officers, educators, and human service workers .............. 173 Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-704.1 (2016). Report of child at substantial risk of

sexual abuse. ............................................................................................................... 174 Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-705 (2016). Reports of suspected abuse or neglect;

other persons. .............................................................................................................. 175 Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law § 5-705.1 (2016). Abuse or neglect occurring outside the

State............................................................................................................................. 177

MASSACHUSETTS ..................................................................................................... 178 Mass. Gen. Laws. ch. 119 § 21 (2016). Definitions applicable to Secs. 21 to 51H ... 178

Mass. Gen. Laws. ch. 119 § 51A (2016). Reporting of suspected abuse or neglect;

mandated reporters; collection of physical evidence; penalties; content of reports;

liability; privileged communication ............................................................................ 181 Mass. Gen. Laws. ch. 18C § 11 (2016). Comprehensive plan for response to child

abuse and neglect; advice of experts; contents ........................................................... 183 Mass. Gen. Laws. ch. 265 § ........................................................................................ 187



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Mass. Gen. Laws. ch. 265 § 23A (2016). ................................................................... 188

MICHIGAN ................................................................................................................... 188 Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 722.623 (2016). Required reporting of child abuse, neglect,

or exposure to or contact with methamphetamine production to department;

transmission of report to other agencies; reporting of suspected exposure to or contact

with methamphetamine production to local law enforcement agency ........................ 188 Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 722.623a (2012). Required reports of controlled substances

in the bodies of newborn infants ................................................................................. 191 Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 722.624 (2016). Reports by those not required to report. 191

Mich. comp. laws Ann. § 722.625 (2016). Reporting persons, identity, immunity from

liability, good faith. ..................................................................................................... 192 Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 722.631 (2016). Privileged communications; reporting of

suspected abuse or neglect by member of clergy. ....................................................... 192

Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. §722.633 (2016). Failure to report; dissemination of

information; failure to expunge record; false report. .................................................. 192

MINNESOTA ................................................................................................................ 193 Minn. Stat. Ann. § 245A.145 (2016). Child care program reporting notification

Subdivision 1. Policies and procedures. ..................................................................... 193 Minn. Stat. Ann. § 626.556 (2016). Reporting of maltreatment of minors. ............... 194

MISSISSIPPI ................................................................................................................. 228 Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-353 (2016). Reporting abuse or neglect. ........................... 228 Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-355 (2016). Civil and criminal immunity. ........................ 231

Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-7 (2016). Reports of abuse, neglect, exploitation.............. 231

MISSOURI .................................................................................................................... 235 Mo. Rev. Stat. § 210.115 (2016). Reports of abuse, neglect, and under age eighteen

deaths--persons required to report--deaths required to report--deaths required to be

reported to the division or child fatality review panel, when--report made to another

state, when................................................................................................................... 235 Mo. Rev. Stat. § 352.400 (2016). Minister or religious organization to report suspected

child abuse or neglect, when--privileged communications ......................................... 237 Mo. Rev. Stat. § 568.110 (2016). Professional’s duty to report on film, photographs,

videotapes, failure to report, penalty--exceptions ....................................................... 238 Mo. Rev. Stat. § 210.140 (2016). Privileged communication not recognized, exception

..................................................................................................................................... 239 Mo. Rev. Stat. § 210.155 (2016). Division to provide programs and information--

division to continuously inform persons required to report and public as to toll free

telephones available for abuse reports ........................................................................ 239

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 210.165 (2016). Penalty for violation .............................................. 240 Mo. Rev. Stat. § 162.069 (2016). Written policy concerning teacher-student and

employee-student communication--sexual abuse identification training ................... 240

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 191.737 (2016). Children exposed to substance abuse, referral by

physician to department of health and senior services--services to be initiated within

seventy-two hours--physician making referral immune from civil liability--

confidentiality of report .............................................................................................. 241 Mont. Code Ann.......................................................................................................... 242 Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-203 (2016). Immunity from liability. ................................. 244



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Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-205 (2016). Confidentiality--disclosure exceptions ........... 245

Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-206 (2016). Procedure in case of child's death ................... 248 Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-207 (2016). Penalty for failure to report. ........................... 249 Mont.Admin.R. 37.95.171 (2016). Day Care Facilities: Mandated Reporting of

Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect. .......................................................................... 249

NEBRASKA .................................................................................................................. 249 Neb.Rev.St. § 28-379 (2016). Report of abuse; summary by department; when

provided. ..................................................................................................................... 249 Neb.Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-711 (2016). Child subjected to abuse or neglect; report;

contents; toll-free number ........................................................................................... 250 Neb.Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-713 (2016). Reports of child abuse or neglect; law

enforcement agency; department; duties. ................................................................... 250 Neb.Rev.St. § 28-713.01 (2016). Cases of child abuse or neglect; completion of

investigation; notice; when ......................................................................................... 252 Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-714 (2016). Privileged communications; not grounds for

excluding evidence...................................................................................................... 252 Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-715 (2016). Tracking system; department; duties; use

authorized .................................................................................................................... 253 Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-716 (2016). Person participating in an investigation or

making report; immune from liability; civil or criminal ............................................. 253

Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-717 (2016). Violation; penalty. ........................................ 253 Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-718 (2016). Child protection cases; central register; name-

change order; treatment............................................................................................... 253 Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-719 (2016). Child abuse and neglect records; access; when

..................................................................................................................................... 254

Neb.Rev.St. § 28-727 (2016). Report; person making; receive summary of findings and

actions; when .............................................................................................................. 254

NEVADA ....................................................................................................................... 255 Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 432B.220 (2016). Persons required to make report; when and to

whom reports are required; any person may make report; report and written findings if

reasonable cause to believe death of child caused by abuse or neglect ...................... 255

Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 432B.230 (2016). Method of making report; contents. ......... 258 Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 432B.240 (2016). Penalty for failure to make report............. 259

Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 432B.250 (2016). Persons required to report prohibited from

invoking certain privileges. ......................................................................................... 259 Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann.§ 432B.310 (2016). Report to Central Registry of abuse or neglect

required upon completion of investigation; report to Central Registry of prenatal illegal

substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure only

required if child has been abused or neglected ........................................................... 259

NEW HAMPSHIRE ..................................................................................................... 260 N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 169-C:29 (2016). Persons Required to Report. ..................... 260 N.H. Rev. Stat. § 169-C:30 (2016). Nature and Content of Report. ........................... 260 N.H. Rev. Stat. § 169-C:31 (2016). Immunity From Liability. .................................. 260 N.H. Rev. Stat. § 169-C:32 (2016). Abrogation of Privileged Communication. ........ 261 N.H. Rev. Stat. § 169-C:33 (2016). Photographs and X-Rays. .................................. 261 N.H. Rev. Stat. § 169-C:39 (2016). Penalty for Violation.......................................... 261



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NEW JERSEY ............................................................................................................... 261 N. J. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 9:6-8.10 (2016). Reports of child abuse................................. 261 N. J. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 9:6-8.10a (2016). Reports and information of child abuse

reports; confidentiality; release ................................................................................... 262

N. J. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 9:6-8.13 (2016). Person making report; immunity from liability;

action for relief from discharge or discrimination. ..................................................... 266 N. J. Rev. Stat. § 9:6-8.14 (2016). Violations including failure to make report;

disorderly person ......................................................................................................... 267

NEW MEXICO ............................................................................................................. 267 N. M. Stat. Ann. § 32A-4-3 (2016). Duty to report child abuse and child neglect;

responsibility to investigate child abuse or neglect; penalty. ..................................... 267 N. M. Stat. Ann. § 32A-4-5 (2016). Admissibility of report in evidence; immunity of

reporting person; investigation of report..................................................................... 268

NEW YORK .................................................................................................................. 269 N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 413 (2016).Persons and officials required to report cases of

suspected child abuse or maltreatment ....................................................................... 269 N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 414 (2016). Any person permitted to report. ......................... 272

N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 415 (2016). Reporting procedure. .......................................... 272 N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 416 (2016). Obligations of persons required to report. ......... 273 N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 418 (2016). Mandatory reporting to and post-mortem

investigation of deaths by medical examiner or coroner. ........................................... 273 N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 419 (2016). Immunity from liability. ..................................... 274

N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law § 420 (2016). Penalties for failure to report. ............................ 274 N.Y. PENAL Law § 240.50 (2016). Falsely reporting an incident in the third degree

..................................................................................................................................... 275

NORTH CAROLINA ................................................................................................... 276 N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 7B-301 (2016). Duty to report abuse, neglect, dependency, or

death due to maltreatment ........................................................................................... 276 N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 7B-307 (2016). Duty of director to report evidence of abuse,

neglect; investigation by local law enforcement; notification of Department of Health

and Human Services and State Bureau of Investigation ............................................. 276

N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 7B-309 (2016). Immunity of persons reporting and cooperating

in an assessment. ......................................................................................................... 277

N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 7B-310 (2016). Privileges not grounds for failing to report or

for excluding evidence. ............................................................................................... 278 N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-400 (2016). School personnel to report child abuse. ............ 278

NORTH DAKOTA ....................................................................................................... 278 N.D. Cent. Code § 50-25.1-03 (2016). Persons required and permitted to report--To

whom reported. ........................................................................................................... 278 N.D. Cent. Code § 50-25.1-03.1 (2016). Photographs--X-rays--Medical tests. ......... 279

N.D. Cent. Code § 50-25.1-04 (2016). Method of reporting. ..................................... 279 N.D. Cent. Code § 50-25.1-09 (2016). Immunity from liability. ............................... 280 N.D. Cent. Code § 50-25.1-09.1 (2016). Employer retaliation prohibited. ................ 280 N.D. Cent. Code § 50-25.1-10 (2016). Abrogation of privileged communications ... 281 N.D. Cent. Code § 50-25.1-13 (2016). Penalty for failure to report--Penalty and civil

liability for false reports. ............................................................................................. 281



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N.D. Cent. Code § 50-25.1-18 (2016). Prenatal exposure to alcohol abuse--Reporting

requirements. ............................................................................................................... 281

OKLAHOMA ................................................................................................................ 294 Okla. Stat. Ann. tit 10A § 1-2-101 (2016). Establishment of statewide centralized

hotline for reporting child abuse or neglect--Hotline requirements--Reporting abuse or

neglect--Retaliation by employer--Violations ............................................................ 294 Okla. Stat. Ann. tit 21§ 1021.4 (2016).Disclosure of obscene materials containing

minors ......................................................................................................................... 296 Okla. Stat. Ann. tit 10A § 1-2-104 (2016). Immunity from civil and criminal liability—

Presumption. ............................................................................................................... 297

OREGON ....................................................................................................................... 298 Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 419B.005 (2016). Definitions .................................................. 298 Or. Rev. Stat. § 419B.010 (2012). Duty of officials to report child abuse; exception;

violations. .................................................................................................................... 302 Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 419B.015 (2016). Oral report; notification of law enforcement

and local department office. ........................................................................................ 303 Or. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 419B.016 (2012). Making a false report of child abuse ........... 304

Baker County Local Rules, Rule 12.020 (2016). Confidentiality of Mediation. ........ 305 Union Wallowa Counties Local Rules, Rule 12.015 (2016). Confidentiality of

Mediation. ................................................................................................................... 305

PENNSYLVANIA ......................................................................................................... 305 23 Pa. Const. Stat. Ann. § 6311 (2016). Persons required to report suspected child

abuse. .......................................................................................................................... 305 23 Pa. Stat. Ann. § 6314 (2016). Photographs, medical tests and X-rays of child

subject to report........................................................................................................... 308

23 Pa. Stat. Ann. § 6319 (2016). Penalties for failure to report or to refer............... 310

23 Pa. Stat. Ann. § 6340 (2016). Release of information in confidential reports. (a)

General rule.--Reports specified in section 6339 (relating to confidentiality of reports)

shall only be made available to: .................................................................................. 311

RHODE ISLAND .......................................................................................................... 318 R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-3 (2016). Duty to report--Deprivation of nutrition or medical

treatment. .................................................................................................................... 318 R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-3.1 (2016). Duty to report death of child due to child abuse or

neglect. ........................................................................................................................ 319 R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-4 (2016). Immunity from liability. ....................................... 320 R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-6 (2016). Report by physicians of abuse or neglect. ............ 320 R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-6.1 (2016). Penalty for failure to report or perform required

act. ............................................................................................................................... 321 R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-11 (2016). Abrogation of privileged communications ......... 321

SOUTH CAROLINA .................................................................................................... 322 S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-310 (2016). Persons required to report.................................. 322 S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-320 (2016). Notification and transfer. ................................... 322 S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-330 (2016). Confidentiality of information. .......................... 323 S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-340 (2016). Previous reports. ................................................ 323 S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-350 (2016). Reports for lack of investigation. ...................... 324 S.C. Code Ann § 63-7-370 (2016). Domestic violence reporting. ............................. 324



11

S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-390 (2016). Reporter immunity from liability. ..................... 325

S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-430 (2016). Civil action for bad faith reporting. ................... 325 S.C. Code Ann. § 63-7-440 (2016). Knowingly making false report. ........................ 326 S.D. Codified Laws § 26-8A-3 (2016). Persons required to report child abuse or

neglected child--Intentional failure as misdemeanor .................................................. 326 S.D. Codified Laws § 26-8A-4 (2016). Additional persons to report death resulting

from abuse or neglect--Intentional failure as misdemeanor ....................................... 327 S.D. Codified Laws § 26-8A-5 (2016). Application of terms. ................................... 327 S.D. Codified Laws § 26-8A-14 (2016). Immunity from liability.............................. 328

S.D. Codified Laws. § 26-8A-15 (2016). Communications not privileged in child abuse

or neglect cases ........................................................................................................... 329

TENNESSEE ................................................................................................................. 329 Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-403 (2016). Persons required to report; contents of report. 329

Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-411 (2016). Evidentiary privileges ..................................... 335 Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-412 (2016). Failure to make report; juvenile courts. .......... 335

Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-413 (2016). False reports. ................................................... 335 Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-605 (2016). Reports; investigation and investigators; medical

examiners .................................................................................................................... 336

TEXAS ............................................................................................................................. 338 Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 261.101 (2016). Persons Required to Report; Time to ........ 338

Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 261.102 (2016). Matters to be Reported. A report should

reflect the reporter's belief that a child has been or may be abused or neglected or has

died of abuse or neglect. ............................................................................................. 339 Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 261.103 (2012). Report Made to Appropriate Agency. ....... 339 Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 261.104 (2016). Contents of Report. The person making a

report shall identify, if known:.................................................................................... 340

Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 261.106 (2016). Immunities. (a) A person acting in good faith

who reports or assists in the investigation of a report of alleged child abuse or neglect

or who testifies or otherwise participates in a judicial proceeding arising from a report,

petition, or investigation of alleged child abuse or neglect is immune from civil or

criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed. ................................. 340

Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 261.107 (2016). False Report; Criminal Penalty; Civil Penalty.

..................................................................................................................................... 341

Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 261.108 (2012). Frivolous Claims Against Person Reporting

(a) In this section:........................................................................................................ 342 Tex. Fam. Code Ann. § 261.109 (2016). Failure to Report; Penalty. ......................... 342

UTAH ............................................................................................................................. 343 Utah Code Ann. § 62A-4a-403 (2016). Reporting requirements. ............................... 343 Utah Code Ann. § 62A-4a-404 (2016). Fetal alcohol syndrome and drug dependency--

Reporting requirements ............................................................................................... 344

Utah Code Ann. § 62A-4a-405 (2016). Death of child--Reporting requirements. (1)

Any person who has reason to believe that a child has died as a result of abuse or

neglect shall report that fact to: ................................................................................... 344 Utah Code Ann. § 62A-4a-410 (2016). Immunity from liability—Exceptions. ......... 345 Utah Code Ann. § 62A-4a-411 (2016). Failure to report--Criminal penalty. ............. 346 Utah Code Ann. § 62A-4a-412 (2016). Reports and information confidential .......... 346



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VERMONT .................................................................................................................... 349 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 33 § 3502 (2016). Child care facilities; school age care in public

schools; 21st century fund. ......................................................................................... 349 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 33, § 4913 (2016). Reporting child abuse and neglect; remedial

action. .......................................................................................................................... 350 Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 33, § 4914 (2016). Nature and content of report; to whom made . 353

VIRGINIA ..................................................................................................................... 353 VA. Code Ann. § 63.2-1508 (2016). Valid report or complaint. ................................ 353 VA. Code Ann. § 63.2-1509 (2016). Requirement that certain injuries to children be

reported by physicians, nurses, teachers, etc.; penalty for failure to report ................ 354 VA. Code Ann. § 63.2-1510 (2016). Complaints by others of certain injuries to

children. ...................................................................................................................... 357 VA. Code Ann. § 63.2-1512 (2012). Immunity of person making report, etc., from

liability. ....................................................................................................................... 358 VA. Code Ann. § 63.2-1513 (2016). Knowingly making false reports; penalties ..... 358

VA. Code Ann. § 63.2-1519 (2016). Physician-patient and husband-wife privileges

inapplicable ................................................................................................................. 358

WASHINGTON ............................................................................................................ 359 Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 26.44.030 (2016). Reports--Duty and authority to make--

Duty of receiving agency--Duty to notify--Case planning and consultation--Penalty for

unauthorized exchange of information--Filing dependency petitions--Investigations--

Interviews of children--Records--Risk assessment process. ....................................... 359

Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 26.44.032 (2016). Legal defense of public employee ........ 365 Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 26.44.040 (2016). Reports--Oral, written—Contents. ....... 366 Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 26.44.060 (2012). Immunity from civil or criminal liability--

Confidential communications not violated--Actions against state not affected--False

report, penalty. ............................................................................................................ 366 Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 26.44.080 (2016). Violation—Penalty. .............................. 367 Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 9A.20.021 (2016). Maximum sentences for crimes committed

July 1, 1984, and after ................................................................................................. 367

WEST VIRGINIA ......................................................................................................... 368

W. VA. CODE ANN. § 49-6A-1 (2012). PURPOSE. .......................................................... 368 W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-6A-2 (2012). Persons mandated to report suspected abuse and

neglect. ........................................................................................................................ 368 W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-6A-3 (2016). Mandatory reporting to medical examiner or

coroner; postmortem investigation. ............................................................................ 369 W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-6A-4 (2016). Photographs and X rays. ................................ 370

W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-6A-5 (2016). Reporting procedures. .................................... 370 W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-6A-6 (2016). Immunity from liability.................................. 370 W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-6A-7 (2016). Abrogation of privileged communications. ... 371

W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-6A-8 (2016). Failure to report; penalty. ............................... 371 W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-6A-9 (2016). Establishment of child protective services;

general duties and powers; immunity from civil liability; cooperation of other state

agencies ....................................................................................................................... 371 W. Va. Code Ann. § 49-6A-10 (2016). Educational programs. ................................. 373

WISCONSIN ................................................................................................................. 374



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Wis. stat. ann. § 48.981 (2016). Abused or neglected children and abused unborn

children ....................................................................................................................... 374

WYOMING ................................................................................................................... 400 Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-3-205 (2016). Child abuse or neglect; persons required to report.

..................................................................................................................................... 400 Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-3-207 (2016). Abuse or neglect as suspected cause of death;

coroner's investigation ................................................................................................ 400 Wyo. Stat. § 14-3-209 (2016). Immunity from liability. ............................................ 401

FEDERAL LEGISLATION......................................................................................... 401 42 U.S.C.A. § 5106a (2016). Grants to States for child abuse or neglect prevention and

treatment programs (a) Development and operation grants ........................................ 401 42 U.S.C.S. § 13031 (2016). Child Abuse Reporting. ................................................ 416



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ALABAMA

Ala. Code § 26-14-3 (2016). Mandatory reporting.

(a) All hospitals, clinics, sanitariums, doctors, physicians, surgeons, medical examiners,

coroners, dentists, osteopaths, optometrists, chiropractors, podiatrists, nurses, school

teachers and officials, peace officers, law enforcement officials, pharmacists, social

workers, day care workers or employees, mental health professionals, members of the

clergy as defined in Rule 505 of the Alabama Rules of Evidence, or any other person

called upon to render aid or medical assistance to any child, when the child is known or

suspected to be a victim of child abuse or neglect, shall be required to report, or cause a

report to be made of the same, orally, either by telephone or direct communication

immediately, followed by a written report, to a duly constituted authority.

(b) When an initial report is made to a law enforcement official, the official subsequently

shall inform the Department of Human Resources of the report so that the department can

carry out its responsibility to provide protective services when deemed appropriate to the

respective child or children.

(c) When the Department of Human Resources receives initial reports of suspected abuse

or neglect involving discipline or corporal punishment committed in a public or private

school or suspected abuse or neglect in a state-operated child residential facility, the

Department of Human Resources shall transmit a copy of school reports to the law

enforcement agency and residential facility reports to the law enforcement agency and the

operating state agency which shall conduct the investigation. When the investigation is

completed, a written report of the completed investigation shall contain the information

required by the state Department of Human Resources which shall be submitted by the

law enforcement agency or the state agency to the county department of human resources

for entry into the state's central registry.

(d) Nothing in this chapter shall preclude interagency agreements between departments of

human resources, law enforcement, and other state agencies on procedures for

investigating reports of suspected child abuse and neglect to provide for departments of

human resources to assist law enforcement and other state agencies in these

investigations.

(e) Any provision of this section to the contrary notwithstanding, if any agency or

authority investigates any report pursuant to this section and the report does not result in

a conviction, the agency or authority shall expunge any record of the information or

report and any data developed from the record.

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(f) Subsection (a) to the contrary notwithstanding, a member of the clergy shall not be

required to report information gained solely in a confidential communication privileged

pursuant to Rule 505 of the Alabama Rules of Evidence which communication shall

continue to be privileged as provided by law.

(g) Commencing on August 1, 2013, a public or private employer who discharges,

suspends, disciplines, or penalizes an employee solely for reporting suspected child abuse

or neglect pursuant to this section shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

Credits

Acts 1993, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 93-890; Acts 2003, No. 03-272; Acts 2013, No. 13-201, §

1, Aug. 1, 2013; Acts 2016, No. 16-354, § 2, May 11, 2016.

Ala. Code § 26-14-4 (2016). Permissive reporting.

In addition to those persons, firms, corporations, and officials required by Section 26-14-

3 to report child abuse and neglect, any person may make such a report if such person has

reasonable cause to suspect that a child is being abused or neglected.

Credits

Brown v. State, 588 So. 2d 551, 1991 Ala. Crim. App. LEXIS 1134 (Crim. App. 1991)

Ala. Code § 26-14-9 (2016). Immunity from liability for actions under

chapter.

Any person, firm, corporation, or official, including members of a multidisciplinary child

protection team, quality assurance team, child death review team, or other authorized

case review team or panel, by whatever designation, participating in the making of a good

faith report in an investigation or case review authorized under this chapter or other law

or department practice or in the removal of a child pursuant to this chapter, or

participating in a judicial proceeding resulting therefrom, shall, in so doing, be immune

from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed.

Credits

Decatur City Bd. of Educ. v. Aycock, 562 So. 2d 1331, 1990 Ala. Civ. App. LEXIS 9

(Civ. App. 1990); Evans v. Waddell, 689 So. 2d 23, 1997 Ala. LEXIS 23, 31 Ala. B. Rep.

1057 (1997).

Ala. Code § 26-14-10 (2016). Doctrine of priviliged communciations not

grounds for exclusion of evidence as to child’s injuries.

The doctrine of privileged communication, with the exception of the attorney-client

privilege, shall not be a ground for excluding any evidence regarding a child's injuries or

the cause thereof in any judicial proceeding resulting from a report pursuant to this

chapter

Credits

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C.B. v. Bobo, 659 So. 2d 98, 1995 Ala. LEXIS 180, 29 Ala. B. Rep. 1871 (1995).

Ala. Code § 26-14-13 (2016). Penalty for failure to make required

report.

Any person who shall knowingly fail to make the report required by this chapter shall be

guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a sentence of not more than six months'

imprisonment or a fine of not more than $500.00.

Credits

Harris v. Montgomery, 435 So. 2d 1207, 1983 Ala. LEXIS 4384 (1983); Horace Mann

Ins. v. McGee, 840 F. Supp. 875, 1994 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7498 (M.D. Ala. 1994); C.B. v.

Bobo, 659 So. 2d 98, 1995 Ala. LEXIS 180, 29 Ala. B. Rep. 1871 (1995).

Ala. Code § 38-3-8 (2016). Powers and responsibilities of department.

The Department of Senior Services shall:

(1) Be the designated state agency to administer programs of the federal government

relating to the aged, requiring action within the state, that are not the specific

responsibility of another state agency under federal or state statutes and to administer

programs for the aged when designated as an operating agency by another state agency.

The department may not take over from another state agency any of the specific

responsibilities held by such other state agency nor may the department withhold from

another state agency any state or federal funds designated for programs administered by

that agency. The department shall be the state agency to administer funds granted by the

federal government under the “Older Americans Act of 1965,” 42 U.S.C. § 3001, as

amended, except for programs administered by another state agency. The department

shall cooperate with federal and state agencies, counties, municipal corporations, and

private agencies or facilities within the state in furtherance of the purposes as set forth in

this chapter.

(2) Advise, consult, and coordinate with other state agencies upon request which are

proposing plans, programs, and rules primarily affecting persons 60 years of age or older.

(3) Plan, initiate, coordinate, and evaluate statewide programs, services, and activities

regulated by the department for elderly people which are not duplicative of services,

programs, and activities provided by other state agencies.

(4) Disseminate information concerning the problems of elderly people and establish and

maintain a central clearinghouse of information on public programs at all levels of

government that would be of interest or benefit to the elderly.

(5) Report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on the programs of the

department.



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(6) Have authority to contract with public or private groups to perform services for the

department.

(7) Adopt rules pursuant to the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act to govern the

operation of services and facilities for the elderly that are regulated by the department and

determine that those services and facilities are operated in conformity with these rules.

(8) Determine the needs of the elderly and provide information on their needs to all levels

of government.

(9) Report immediately any suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation to the Department

of Human Resources as a mandatory reporter as specified in Section 38-9-8.

Credits:

Acts 2008, No. 08-398, § 2, May 16, 2008.

ALASKA

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.010 (2016). Purpose.

In order to protect children whose health and well-being may be adversely affected

through the infliction, by other than accidental means, of harm through physical injury or

neglect, mental injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or maltreatment, the legislature

requires the reporting of these cases by practitioners of the healing arts and others to the

department. It is not the intent of the legislature that persons required to report suspected

child abuse or neglect under this chapter investigate the suspected child abuse or neglect

before they make the required report to the department. Reports must be made when there

is a reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect in order to make state investigative

and social services available in a wider range of cases at an earlier point in time, to make

sure that investigations regarding child abuse and neglect are conducted by trained

investigators, and to avoid subjecting a child to multiple interviews about the abuse or

neglect. It is the intent of the legislature that, as a result of these reports, protective

services will be made available in an effort to

(1) prevent further harm to the child;

(2) safeguard and enhance the general well-being of children in this state; and

(3) preserve family life unless that effort is likely to result in physical or emotional

damage to the child.



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Credits:

(§ 1 ch 100 SLA 1971; am § 3 ch 104 SLA 1982; am § 4 ch 29 SLA 1990; am § 1 ch 205

SLA 1990; am § 5 ch 59 SLA 2014)

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.020 (2016). Persons Required to Report.

(a) The following persons who, in the performance of their occupational duties, or with

respect to (8) of this subsection, in the performance of their appointed duties, have

reasonable cause to suspect that a child has suffered harm as a result of child abuse or

neglect shall immediately report the harm to the nearest office of the department:

(1) practitioners of the healing arts;

(2) school teachers and school administrative staff members of public and private

schools;

(3) peace officers and officers of the Department of Corrections;

(4) administrative officers of institutions;

(5) child care providers;

(6) paid employees of domestic violence and sexual assault programs, and crisis

intervention and prevention programs as defined in AS 18.66.990;

(7) paid employees of an organization that provides counseling or treatment to

individuals seeking to control their use of drugs or alcohol;

(8) members of a child fatality review team established under AS 12.65.015(e) or

12.65.120 or the multidisciplinary child protection team created under AS

47.14.300.

(b) This section does not prohibit the named persons from reporting cases that have come

to their attention in their nonoccupational capacities, nor does it prohibit any other person

from reporting a child's harm that the person has reasonable cause to suspect is a result of

child abuse or neglect. These reports shall be made to the nearest office of the

department.

(c) If the person making a report of harm under this section cannot reasonably contact the

nearest office of the department and immediate action is necessary for the well-being of

the child, the person shall make the report to a peace officer. The peace officer shall

immediately take action to protect the child and shall, at the earliest opportunity, notify

the nearest office of the department.

(d) This section does not require a religious healing practitioner to report as neglect of a

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child the failure to provide medical attention to the child if the child is provided treatment

solely by spiritual means through prayer in accordance with the tenets and practices of a

recognized church or religious denomination by an accredited practitioner of the church

or denomination.

(e) The department shall immediately notify the nearest law enforcement agency if the

department

(1) concludes that the harm was caused by a person who is not responsible for the

child's welfare;

(2) is unable to determine

(A) who caused the harm to the child; or

(B) whether the person who is believed to have caused the harm has

responsibility for the child's welfare; or

(3) concludes that the report involves

(A) possible criminal conduct under AS 11.41.410--11.41.458; or

(B) abuse or neglect that results in the need for medical treatment of the

child.

(f) If a law enforcement agency determines that a child has been abused or neglected and

that (1) the harm was caused by a teacher or other person employed by the school or

school district in which the child is enrolled as a student, (2) the harm occurred during an

activity sponsored by the school or school district in which the child is enrolled as a

student, or (3) the harm occurred on the premises of the school in which the child is

enrolled as a student or on the premises of a school within the district in which the child

is enrolled as a student, the law enforcement agency shall notify the chief administrative

officer of the school or district in which the child is enrolled immediately after the agency

determines that a child has been abused or neglected under the circumstances set out in

this section, except that if the person about whom the report has been made is the chief

administrative officer or a member of the chief administrative officer's immediate family,

the law enforcement agency shall notify the commissioner of education and early

development that the child has been abused or neglected under the circumstances set out

in this section. The notification must set out the factual basis for the law enforcement

agency's determination. If the notification involves a person in the teaching profession, as

defined in AS 14.20.370, the law enforcement agency shall send a copy of the

notification to the Professional Teaching Practices Commission.

(g) A person required to report child abuse or neglect under (a) of this section who makes

the report to the person's job supervisor or to another individual working for the entity

that employs the person is not relieved of the obligation to make the report to the



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department as required under (a) of this section.

(h) This section does not require a person required to report child abuse or neglect under

(a)(6) of this section to report mental injury to a child as a result of exposure to domestic

violence so long as the person has reasonable cause to believe that the child is in safe and

appropriate care and not presently in danger of mental injury as a result of exposure to

domestic violence.

(i) This section does not require a person required to report child abuse or neglect under

(a)(7) of this section to report the resumption of use of an intoxicant as described in AS

47.10.011(10) so long as the person does not have reasonable cause to suspect that a child

has suffered harm as a result of the resumption.

Credits:

(§ 1 ch 100 SLA 1971; am §§ 4, 5 ch 104 SLA 1982; am E.O. No. 55 § 42 (1984); am §§

8 -- 10 ch 39 SLA 1985; am § 2 ch 114 SLA 1986; am §§ 2 -- 6 ch 205 SLA 1990; am §

66 ch 64 SLA 1996; am § 20 ch 81 SLA 1998; am §§ 57, 58 ch 99 SLA 1998; am § 24 ch

118 SLA 1998; am § 39 ch 43 SLA 2013)

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.023 (2016). Reports from certain persons regarding

child pornography.

A person providing, either privately or commercially, film, photo, or visual or printed

matter processing, production, or finishing services or computer installation, repair, or

other services, or Internet or cellular telephone services who, in the process of providing

those services, observes a film, photo, picture, computer file, image, or other matter and

has reasonable cause to suspect that the film, photo, picture, computer file, image, or

other matter visually depicts a child engaged in conduct described in AS 11.41.455(a)

shall immediately report the observation to the nearest law enforcement agency and

provide the law enforcement agency with all information known about the nature and

origin of the film, photo, picture, computer file, image, or other matter.

Credits:

(§ 11 ch 39 SLA 1985; am § 8 ch 205 SLA 1990; am § 35 ch 75 SLA 2008)

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.024 (2016). Duties of practitioners of the healing

arts.

(a) A practitioner of the healing arts involved in the delivery or care of an infant who the

practitioner determines has been adversely affected by, or is withdrawing from exposure

to, a controlled substance or alcohol shall immediately notify the nearest office of the

department of the infant's condition.

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(b) In this section,

(1) “controlled substance” has the meaning given in AS 11.71.900, but does not

include a substance lawfully taken under a prescription from a health care

provider who is authorized to prescribe the substance;

(2) “infant” means a child who is less than 12 months of age.

Credits:

(§ 9 ch 20 SLA 2006)

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.025 (2016). Duties of public authorities.

(a) A law enforcement agency shall immediately notify the department of the receipt of a

report of harm to a child from abuse. Upon receipt from any source of a report of harm to

a child from abuse, the department shall notify the Department of Law and investigate the

report and, within 72 hours of the receipt of the report, shall provide a written report of its

investigation of the harm to a child from abuse to the Department of Law for review.

(b) The report of harm to a child from abuse required from the department by this section

must include:

(1) the names and addresses of the child and the child's parent or other persons

responsible for the child's care, if known;

(2) the age and sex of the child;

(3) the nature and extent of the harm to the child from abuse;

(4) the name and age and address of the person known or believed to be

responsible for the harm to the child from abuse, if known;

(5) information that the department believes may be helpful in establishing the

identity of the person believed to have caused the harm to the child from abuse.

(c) Within 20 days after receiving a report of harm, whether or not the matter is referred

to a local government agency, the department shall notify the person who made the report

and who made a request to be notified about the status of the investigation, without

disclosing any confidential information.

Credits:

(§ 6 ch 104 SLA 1982; am § 47 ch 64 SLA 2005)

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Alaska Stat. § 47.17.027 (2016). Duties of school officials.

(a) If the department or a law enforcement agency provides written certification to the

child's school officials that (1) there is reasonable cause to suspect that the child has been

abused or neglected by a person responsible for the child's welfare or as a result of

conditions created by a person responsible for the child's welfare; (2) an interview at

school is a necessary part of an investigation to determine whether the child has been

abused or neglected; and (3) the interview at school is in the best interests of the child,

school officials shall permit the child to be interviewed at school by the department or a

law enforcement agency before notification of, or receiving permission from, the child's

parent, guardian, or custodian. A school official shall be present during an interview at

the school unless the child objects or the department or law enforcement agency

determines that the presence of the school official will interfere with the investigation.

The interview shall be conducted as required under AS 47.17.033. Immediately after

conducting an interview authorized under this section, and after informing the child of the

intention to notify the child's parent, guardian, or custodian, the department or agency

shall make every reasonable effort to notify the child's parent, guardian, or custodian that

the interview occurred unless it appears to the department or agency that notifying the

child's parent, guardian, or custodian would endanger the child.

(b) A school official who, with criminal negligence, discloses information learned during

an interview conducted under (a) of this section is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

Credits:

(§ 9 ch 205 SLA 1990; am § 48 ch 64 SLA 2005)

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.050 (2016). Immunity

(a) Except as provided in (b) of this section, a person who, in good faith, makes a report

under this chapter, permits an interview under AS 47.17.027, or participates in judicial

proceedings related to the submission of reports under this chapter, is immune from civil

or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed for making the report or

permitting the interview, except that a person who knowingly makes an untimely report is

not immune from civil or criminal liability based on the delay in making the report.

(b) Notwithstanding (a) of this section, a person accused of committing the child abuse or

neglect is not immune from civil or criminal liability for the child abuse or neglect as a

result of reporting the child abuse or neglect.

Credits:

(§ 1 ch 100 SLA 1971; am §§ 11, 12 ch 205 SLA 1990)

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.060 (2016). Evidence not Privileged.

Neither the physician-patient nor the husband-wife privilege is a ground for excluding

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evidence regarding a child's harm, or its cause, in a judicial proceeding related to a report

made under this chapter.

Credits:

(§ 1 ch 100 SLA 1971)

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.068 (2016). Penalty for Failure to Report.

A person who fails to comply with the provisions of AS 47.17.020 or 47.17.023 and who

knew or should have known that the circumstances gave rise to the need for a report, is

guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

Credits:

(§ 7 ch 104 SLA 1982; am § 13 ch 39 SLA 1985; am § 14 ch 205 SLA 1990; am § 11 ch

14 SLA 2006)

ARIZONA

Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §13-3620 (2016). Duty to report abuse, physical injury, neglect and denial or deprivation of medical or surgical care or nourishment

of minors; medical records; exception; violation; classification; definitions A. Any person who reasonably believes that a minor is or has been the victim of physical

injury, abuse, child abuse, a reportable offense or neglect that appears to have been

inflicted on the minor by other than accidental means or that is not explained by the

available medical history as being accidental in nature or who reasonably believes there

has been a denial or deprivation of necessary medical treatment or surgical care or

nourishment with the intent to cause or allow the death of an infant who is protected

under § 36-2281 shall immediately report or cause reports to be made of this information

to a peace officer or to child protective services in the department of economic security,

except if the report concerns a person who does not have care, custody or control of the

minor, the report shall be made to a peace officer only. A member of the clergy, christian

science practitioner or priest who has received a confidential communication or a

confession in that person's role as a member of the clergy, christian science practitioner

or a priest in the course of the discipline enjoined by the church to which the member of

the clergy, christian science practitioner or priest belongs may withhold reporting of the

communication or confession if the member of the clergy, christian science practitioner

or priest determines that it is reasonable and necessary within the concepts of the religion.

This exemption applies only to the communication or confession and not to personal

observations the member of the clergy, christian science practitioner or priest may

otherwise make of the minor. For the purposes of this subsection, “person” means:

1. Any physician, physician's assistant, optometrist, dentist, osteopath,

chiropractor, podiatrist, behavioral health professional, nurse, psychologist,

counselor or social worker who develops the reasonable belief in the course of

treating a patient.

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2. Any peace officer, member of the clergy, priest or christian science

practitioner.

3. The parent, stepparent or guardian of the minor.

4. School personnel or domestic violence victim advocate who develop the

reasonable belief in the course of their employment.

5. Any other person who has responsibility for the care or treatment of the minor.

B. A report is not required under this section for conduct prescribed by §§ 13-1404 and

13-1405 if the conduct involves only minors who are fourteen, fifteen, sixteen or

seventeen years of age and there is nothing to indicate that the conduct is other than

consensual.

C. If a physician, psychologist or behavioral health professional receives a statement

from a person other than a parent, stepparent, guardian or custodian of the minor during

the course of providing sex offender treatment that is not court ordered or that does not

occur while the offender is incarcerated in the state department of corrections or the

department of juvenile corrections, the physician, psychologist or behavioral health

professional may withhold the reporting of that statement if the physician, psychologist

or behavioral health professional determines it is reasonable and necessary to accomplish

the purposes of the treatment.

D. Reports shall be made immediately by telephone or in person and shall be followed by

a written report within seventy-two hours. The reports shall contain:

1. The names and addresses of the minor and the minor's parents or the person or

persons having custody of the minor, if known.

2. The minor's age and the nature and extent of the minor's abuse, child abuse,

physical injury or neglect, including any evidence of previous abuse, child abuse,

physical injury or neglect.

3. Any other information that the person believes might be helpful in establishing

the cause of the abuse, child abuse, physical injury or neglect.

E. A health care professional who is regulated pursuant to title 32 and who, after a

routine newborn physical assessment of a ne

Documents

State Laws Regarding Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse...State Laws Regarding Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse (Last Updated September 2016) National Center for the Prosecution of