Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect - Northern Mariana Islands

Professionals Required to Report
Citation: Commonwealth Code Tit. 6, § 5313

Reports are required from the following:

• Any health-care worker, including anesthesiologists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, dentists, health aides, hypnotists, massage therapists, mental health counselors, midwives, nurses, nurse practitioners, osteopaths, naturopaths, physical therapists, physicians, physician's assistants, psychiatrists, psychologists, radiologists, religious healing practitioners, surgeons, or x-ray technicians 
• Teachers or other school officials 
• Daycare providers, nannies, au pair workers, or any other person who is entrusted with the temporary care of a minor child in return for compensation, except babysitters who are themselves minor children 
• Counselors or social workers 
• Peace officers or other law enforcement officials 

Training Requirements for Mandatory Reporters

Training for mandatory reporters is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Reporting by Other Persons
Citation: Commonwealth Code Tit. 6, § 5313

Any other person may at any time report known or suspected instances of child abuse or neglect. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report
Citation: Commonwealth Code Tit. 6, § 5313

A report is required when a mandated reporter comes into contact in a professional capacity with a child who the person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect is abused or neglected. 

Privileged Communications
Citation: Commonwealth Code Tit. 6, § 5317

Common law and statutory privileges as to communications between spouses and a professional person and their patient or client, except for that between attorney and client, do not apply to communications relating to the reporting of child abuse offenses. 

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: Commonwealth Code Tit. 6, § 5325

The release of data that would identify the person who made a report of suspected child abuse or the person who cooperated in a subsequent investigation is prohibited.