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

Failure to Report

Citation: Ann. Code § 37-1-412

Any person who knowingly fails to make a report required by § 37-1-403 commits a class A misdemeanor.

A person believed to have violated this section shall be brought before the court. If the defendant pleads not guilty, the juvenile court judge shall bind the defendant over to the grand jury. If the defendant pleads guilty, the juvenile court judge shall sentence the defendant under this section with a fine not to exceed $2,500.

False Reporting

Citation: Ann. Code § 37-1-413

Any person who either verbally or by written or printed communication knowingly and maliciously reports or causes, encourages, aids, counsels, or procures another to report a false accusation of child sexual abuse, or false accusation that a child has sustained any wound, injury, disability, or physical or mental condition caused by brutality, abuse, or neglect, commits a class E felony.