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

Date: February 2019

Failure to Report

Citation: Rev. Code §§ 26.44.080; 9A.20.021

Every person who is required to make a report pursuant to the reporting laws and who knowingly fails to make such a report shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Every person convicted of a gross misdemeanor shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for up to 364 days or a fine of no more than $5,000, or both.

This section applies to only those crimes committed on or after July 1, 1984. The fines in this section apply to adult offenders only.

False Reporting

Citation: Rev. Code §§ 26.44.060(4); 9A.20.021

A person who intentionally and in bad faith knowingly makes a false report of alleged abuse or neglect shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Every person convicted of a misdemeanor shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for no more than 90 days or a fine of no more than $1,000, or both.

This section applies to only those crimes committed on or after July 1, 1984. The fines in this section apply to adult offenders only.

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