Penalties for Failure to Report and False Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect - Rhode Island

Failure to Report

Citation: Gen. Laws § 40-11-6.1

Any mandatory reporter who knowingly fails to report as required or who knowingly prevents any person acting reasonably from doing so shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 1 year or both.

In addition, any mandatory reporter who knowingly fails to perform any act required by the reporting laws or who knowingly prevents another person from performing a required act shall be civilly liable for the damages proximately caused by that failure.

False Reporting

Citation: Gen. Laws § 40-11-3.2

Any person who knowingly and willingly makes or causes to be made a false report of child abuse or neglect to the Department of Children, Youth and Families shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 1 year or both.