Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect - Idaho

Professionals Required to Report
Citation: Ann. Code § 16-1605

The following persons are required to report:

• Physicians, residents on hospital staffs, interns, nurses, or coroners
• Teachers or daycare personnel 
• Social workers or law enforcement personnel 
• Other persons

Training Requirements for Mandatory Reporters

Training for mandatory reporters is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare provides an overview of the reporting process at Reporting Neglect, Abuse, or Abandonment.

Reporting by Other Persons
Citation: Ann. Code § 16-1605

Any person who has reason to believe that a child has been abused, abandoned, or neglected is required to report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report
Citation: Ann. Code § 16-1605

When the attendance of a physician, resident, intern, nurse, daycare worker, or social worker is pursuant to the performance of services as a member of the staff of a hospital or similar institution, they shall notify the person in charge of the institution, or their designated delegate, who shall make the necessary reports. 

Standards for Making a Report
Citation: Ann. Code § 16-1605

A report is required when either of the following apply:

• A person has reason to believe that a child has been abused, abandoned, or neglected. 
• A person observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse, abandonment, or neglect. 

Privileged Communications
Citation: Ann. Code §§ 16-1605; 16-1606

Any privilege between spouses and any professional and client, except for the clergy-penitent or attorney-client privilege, shall not be grounds for failure to report.

Any privilege between spouses or between any professional person—except the lawyer-client privilege and including, but not limited to, physicians, counselors, hospitals, clinics, daycare centers, and schools—and their clients shall not be grounds for excluding evidence at any proceeding regarding the abuse, abandonment, or neglect of the child or the cause thereof. 

Inclusion of the Reporter's Name in the Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide their name in the report. 

Disclosure of the Reporter's Identity

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.