Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect - Michigan

Professionals Required to Report
Citation: Comp. Laws § 722.623

Mandatory reporters include the following:

• Physicians, physician assistants, dentists, dental hygienists, medical examiners, nurses, persons licensed to provide emergency medical care, or audiologists 
• School administrators, counselors, or teachers 
• Regulated child care providers 
• Psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, social workers, or social work technicians
• Physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, or athletic trainers
• Persons employed in a professional capacity in any office of the friend of the court
• Law enforcement officers 
• Members of the clergy 
• Department of Human Services employees, including eligibility specialists, family independence managers, family independence specialists, social services specialists, social work specialists, social work specialist managers, or welfare services specialists
• Any employee of an organization or entity that, as a result of Federal funding statutes, regulations, or contracts, would be prohibited from reporting in the absence of a State mandate or court order

Training Requirements for Mandatory Reporters

This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services offers online training for mandatory reporters its webpage Mandated Reporters. Other resources on the page include the following:

• A list of mandated reporters, their rights, and what to do if they suspect abuse or neglect
• Physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse and/or neglect that may be used as guidelines for when to make a report
• Guidelines for using the online reporting system

Reporting by Other Persons
Citation: Comp. Laws § 722.624

Any other person, including a child, who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report
Citation: Comp. Laws § 722.623

If the reporting person is a member of the staff of a hospital, agency, or school, the reporting person shall notify the person in charge of the hospital, agency, or school of their finding and that the report has been made and shall make a copy of the written report available to the person in charge. 

A notification to the person in charge of a hospital, agency, or school does not relieve the member of the staff of the hospital, agency, or school of the obligation of reporting to the department as required by this section. One report from a hospital, agency, or school is adequate to meet the reporting requirement. 

A member of the staff of a hospital, agency, or school shall not be dismissed or otherwise penalized for making a report required by this act or for cooperating in an investigation. 

Standards for Making a Report
Citation: Comp. Laws § 722.623

A report is required when a reporter has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect. 

Privileged Communications
Citation: Comp. Laws § 722.631

Only the attorney-client or clergy-penitent privilege can be grounds for not reporting. 

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
Citation: Comp. Laws §§ 722,625; 722.627

The identity of a reporting person is confidential and subject to disclosure only with the consent of that person or by judicial process.

The identity of the reporter is protected in any release of information to the subject of the report.