Immunity for Persons Who Report Child Abuse and Neglect - Maine

Immunity for Making Reports

Citation: Rev. Stat. Tit. 22, § 4014

A person, including an agent of the department, participating in good faith in reporting under the reporting laws is immune from any criminal or civil liability for the act of reporting or participating in the investigation or proceeding.

In a proceeding regarding immunity from liability, there shall be a rebuttable presumption of good faith.

Additional Provisions of Immunity

Citation: Rev. Stat. Tit. 22, § 4014

A person, including an agent of the department, participating in a child protection investigation or proceeding, including, but not limited to, a multidisciplinary team, out-of-home abuse investigating team, or other investigating or treatment team, is immune from any criminal or civil liability for the act of reporting or participating in the investigation or proceeding.

A person participating in good faith in taking photographs or x-rays pursuant to the reporting laws is immune from civil liability for invasion of privacy that might otherwise result from these actions.

Limitations to Immunity

Citation: Rev. Stat. Tit. 22, § 4014

Good faith does not include instances when a false report is made, and the person knows the report is false. Nothing in this section may be construed to bar criminal or civil action regarding perjury or regarding the abuse or neglect that led to a report, investigation, or proceeding.