Mandated Reporting

Each State has laws requiring certain people to report concerns of child abuse and neglect. While some States require all people to report their concerns, many States identify specific professionals as mandated reporters; these often include social workers, medical and mental health professionals, teachers, and child care providers. Specific procedures are usually established for mandated reporters to make referrals to child protective services.

Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect
Series Title State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 273KB)
Year Published 2016
Discusses laws that require members of the clergy to report cases of suspected child abuse and neglect. The issue of whether a member of the clergy can claim privileged communications as a reason for not reporting also is discussed. Full-text excerpts of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Cross-Reporting Among Responders to Child Abuse and Neglect
Series Title State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 767KB)
Year Published 2016
Discusses State laws that authorize cross-reporting and information sharing among the agencies that must respond to reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. Typically, reports are shared among social services agencies, law enforcement departments, and prosecutors' offices. Full-text excerpts of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Forensic Evaluations and Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse
Kapoor & Zonana
Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 38(1), 2010
Explains complications that can result when psychiatrists work in a forensic setting. The article reviews statutes across States, outlines arguments for and against reporting, reviews solutions, and suggests recommendations for negotiating this dilemma.

Penalties for Failure to Report and False Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect
Series Title State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 333KB)
Year Published 2019
Discusses laws that impose penalties, in the form of fines, jail time, or both, on mandatory reporters who fail to report cases of suspected child abuse and neglect as required by the reporting laws. State laws also may impose penalties on any person who knowingly makes a false report of abuse or neglect. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

The Role of Educators in Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect
Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children's Bureau
Crosson-Tower, Cynthia.
This manual examines the roles that teachers, school counselors, school social workers, school nurses, special education professionals, administrators, and other school personnel have in helping maltreated children, including recognizing, reporting, and preventing child abuse and neglect.

The Role of First Responders in Child Maltreatment Cases: Disaster and Nondisaster Situations
Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children's Bureau
Cage, Richard.;Salus, Marsha K.
This manual, written for first-response professionals, such as emergency medical technicians, child protective services caseworkers, and law enforcement officers, discusses the various types and signs of child maltreatment they may encounter in their work, what they and their agencies can do to respond to suspected child maltreatment in emergencies and disasters, and how to prepare for such situations.

The Role of Professional Child Care Providers in Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect
Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children's Bureau
Karageorge, Kathy;Kendall, Rosemary
This manual examines the roles and responsibilities of child care providers in preventing, recognizing, reporting, and responding to child abuse and neglect within and outside early childhood programs and child care settings. It also presents an overview of prevention efforts, reporting laws, and the ways child care providers can care for and support maltreated children and their families.

State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers
State toll-free numbers and websites for specific agencies designated to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect.

State Guides and Manual Search
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Links to State publications that describe child welfare services and provide guidance to professionals and families.