{"id":352103,"date":"2023-10-02T17:43:46","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T22:43:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/mandatory-reporting-laws-child-abuse-and-neglect.html"},"modified":"2023-10-02T17:43:46","modified_gmt":"2023-10-02T22:43:46","slug":"mandatory-reporting-laws-child-abuse-and-neglect","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/mandatory-reporting-laws-child-abuse-and-neglect.html","title":{"rendered":"Mandatory Reporting Laws: Child Abuse and Neglect"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mandatory Reporting Laws: Child Abuse and Neglect<\/h1>\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Some people are "mandatory reporters" who have a legal duty to alert authorities to any suspected child abuse or neglect. Failure to properly report child abuse is a crime. This failure may allow the abuse or neglect to continue.  <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Incidences of child abuse and neglect have a profound effect on the lives of many children across the United States. Therefore, all states have set in place variations of mandatory reporting laws in order to uncover abuse, neglect, and to prevent maltreatment in the future.<\/p>\n

These laws help ensure that cases of child abuse<\/a> are reported to the proper authorities. That way social workers, police, and courts can intervene when necessary. Mandatory reporting supports state goals of rescuing children from danger and helping families in need.<\/p>\n

If a mandatory reporter fails to follow the process, they may face criminal charges. These situations can be complex, so a criminal defense lawyer<\/a> can help you navigate this type of case.<\/p>\n

What are mandatory reporting laws?<\/h2>\n

Mandatory reporting laws for child abuse vary by state. The term child abuse covers a wide range of misconduct. It can include physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. However, it’s important to remember that many of these laws also cover child neglect<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In some states, these laws designate people in certain professions as mandatory reporters for child abuse<\/a> and neglect. When one of these professionals has reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect, they must report it to a proper authority, such as local law enforcement or the child protection agency. In other states, the mandatory reporting laws provide that any person who suspects child abuse or neglect must report it.<\/p>\n

What types of child abuse or neglect must you report?<\/h2>\n

Most state laws provide some guidance on the actions or inactions that present reasonable cause for child abuse or neglect. Local law enforcement and child protection<\/a> workers can also provide definitions of abuse or neglect. A non-exhaustive list of types of reportable child abuse or neglect includes:<\/p>\n