Parental Substance Use as Child Abuse - Massachusetts
Date: July 2019
Citation: Gen. Laws Ann. Ch. 119, § 51A
A mandated reporter who, in his or her professional capacity, has reasonable cause to believe that a child is suffering physical or emotional injury resulting from: (i) abuse inflicted upon him or her that causes harm or substantial risk of harm to the child's health or welfare, including sexual abuse; (ii) neglect, including malnutrition; or (iii) physical dependence upon an addictive drug at birth, shall immediately communicate with the Department of Children and Families orally and, within 48 hours, shall file a written report with the department detailing the suspected abuse or neglect.