Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect - Oregon

Professionals Required to Report
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 419B.005

The following public or private officials are mandated to report:

• Physicians, physician assistants, naturopathic physicians, interns, residents, optometrists, chiropractors, dentists, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, nurse's aides, home health aides, or employees of in-home health services
• School employees, including employees of higher education institutions (such as community colleges and public and private universities)
• Employees of the Department of Human Services, the Oregon Health Authority, Department of Early Learning and Care, Department of Education, Youth Development Division, the Office of Child Care, the Oregon Youth Authority, a local health department, a community mental health program, a community developmental disabilities program, a county juvenile department, a licensed child-caring agency, or an alcohol and drug treatment program
• Peace officers
• Members of the clergy
• Psychologists, social workers, professional counselors, or marriage and family therapists
• Certified foster care or child care providers
• Attorneys or court-appointed special advocates 
• Firefighters or emergency medical providers
• Elected officials of a branch of government or a State agency, board, commission, or department
• Physical, speech, or occupational therapists
• Audiologists or speech-language pathologists
• Employees of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission directly involved in investigations or discipline by the commission
• Operators of preschool or school-age recorded programs
• Employees or a private agency or organization facilitating the provision of respite services for parents pursuant to a properly executed power of attorney
• Employees of organizations providing child-related services or activities, including youth groups or centers; scout groups or camps; summer or day camps; survival camps; or groups, centers, or camps that are operated under the guidance, supervision, or auspices of a religious, public or private educational system, or a community service organization
• Coaches, assistant coaches, or trainers of amateur, semiprofessional, or professional athletes, if compensated and if the athlete is a child
• Personal support and home care workers
• Animal control officers
• Members of school district boards, education service district boards, or public charter school governing bodies
• An individual paid by a public body, in accordance with  § 430.215, to provide a service identified in an individualized written service plan of a child with a developmental disability
• Referral agents, as defined in § 418.35

An employee of a qualified victim services program that provides confidential, direct services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking is excluded from the requirement to report.

Training Requirements for Mandatory Reporters

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

The Oregon Department of Human Services provides training and resources on its Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse webpage, including the following:

• A 30-minute training video that describes the role of mandatory reporters in reporting suspected abuse. It includes recognizing and understanding the signs of child abuse and neglect, as well as the roles implicit bias and structural racism can play when reporting abuse.
• What You Can Do About Child Abuse, a publication that helps reporters understand child abuse, what to report, and when and how to report it. It includes a discussion of racial disproportionality that helps professionals who interact with children on a regular basis understand personal bias and how it may affect them as reporters.
• A link to an online form for requesting mandatory reporter training for community groups.

Reporting by Other Persons
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 419B.015

Any person may voluntarily make a report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 419B.010

The duty to report under this section is personal to the public or private official alone, regardless of whether the official is employed by, a volunteer of, or a representative or agent for any type of entity or organization that employs persons or uses persons as volunteers who are public or private officials in its operations.

The duty to report under this section exists regardless of whether the entity or organization that employs the public or private official or uses the official as a volunteer has its own procedures or policies for reporting abuse internally within the entity or organization. 

Standards for Making a Report
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 419B.010

A report is required when any public or private official has reasonable cause to believe that any child with whom the official comes in contact has suffered abuse.

Privileged Communications
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 419B.010

A psychiatrist, psychologist, member of the clergy, or attorney shall not be required to report if such communication is privileged under law. An attorney is not required to make a report of information communicated to the attorney while representing a client if disclosure of the information would be detrimental to the client. 

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: Rev. Stat. § 419B.015

The name, address, and other identifying information about the person who made the report may not be disclosed.