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STATE 

STATUTES

Current Through

November 2013

Mandatory Reporters of 

Child Abuse and Neglect 

WHAT’S INSIDE

Professionals 

required to report

Reporting by 

other persons

Institutional 

responsibility to report

Standards for 

making a report

Privileged 

communications

Inclusion of the 

reporter’s name 

in the report

Disclosure of the 

reporter’s identity

Summaries of State laws

To find statute 

information for a 

particular State, 

go to 

https://www.childwelfare.

gov/systemwide/

laws_policies/state/

All States, the District of Columbia, American 

Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, 

Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have 

statutes identifying persons who are required 

to report suspected child maltreatment to an 

appropriate agency, such as child protective 

services, a law enforcement agency, or a State’s 

toll-free child abuse reporting hotline.

Professionals Required to Report 

Approximately 48 States, the District of Columbia, 

American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana 

Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands 

designate professions whose members are 

mandated by law to report child maltreatment.1

Individuals designated as mandatory 

reporters typically have frequent contact with 

children. Such individuals may include:

1 The word “approximately” is used to stress the fact that States frequently amend 

their laws. This information is current only through November 2013. At that time, 

New Jersey and Wyoming were the only two States that did not enumerate specific 

professional groups as mandated reporters but required all persons to report.
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 Social workers 

 Teachers, principals, and other school personnel 

 Physicians, nurses, and other health-care workers 

 Counselors, therapists, and other mental health 

professionals 

 Child care providers 

 Medical examiners or coroners 

 Law enforcement officers 

Some other professions frequently mandated across the 

States include commercial film or photograph processors 

(in 12 States, Guam, and Puerto Rico) and computer 

technicians (in six States).2 Substance abuse counselors 

are required to report in 14 States, and probation or 

parole officers are mandatory reporters in 17 States.3

Directors, employees, and volunteers at entities that 

provide organized activities for children, such as camps, 

day camps, youth centers, and recreation centers, are 

required to report in 12 States.4 Seven States and the 

District of Columbia include domestic violence workers 

on the list of mandated reporters, while seven States 

and the District of Columbia include animal control or 

humane officers.5 Court-appointed special advocates are 

mandatory reporters in 10 States.6 Members of the clergy 

now are required to report in 27 States and Guam.7

2 Film processors are mandated reporters in Alaska, California, Colorado, 

Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, 

and West Virginia. Substance abuse counselors are required to report in 

Alaska, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nevada, 

New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, and 

Wisconsin. Computer technicians are required to report in Alaska, California, 

Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.

3 Probation or parole officers are mandated reporters in Arkansas, California, 

Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, 

Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and 

Washington.

4 California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, New York, Ohio, 

Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. 5 Domestic violence workers are mandated reporters in Alaska, Arizona, 

Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, and South Dakota. Humane officers are 

mandated reporters in California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Ohio, Virginia, and 

West Virginia.

6 Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Oregon, South Carolina, 

Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

7 Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, 

Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, 

Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, 

Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, West Virginia, and 

Wisconsin. For more information, see Child Welfare Information Gateway’s 

Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect at https://www.

childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/clergymandated.cfm. 

Ten States now have designated as mandatory reporters 

faculty, administrators, athletics staff, and other 

employees and volunteers at institutions of higher 

learning, including public and private colleges and 

universities and vocational and technical schools.8

Reporting by Other Persons 

In approximately 18 States and Puerto Rico, any person 

who suspects child abuse or neglect is required to report. 

Of these 18 States, 16 States and Puerto Rico specify 

certain professionals who must report but also require all 

persons to report suspected abuse or neglect, regardless 

of profession.9 New Jersey and Wyoming require all 

persons to report without specifying any professions. In all 

other States, territories, and the District of Columbia, any 

person is permitted to report. These voluntary reporters 

of abuse are often referred to as “permissive reporters.” 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

The term “institutional reporting” refers to those 

situations in which the mandated reporter is working (or 

volunteering) as a staff member of an institution, such 

as a school or hospital, at the time he or she gains the 

knowledge that leads him or her to suspect that abuse 

or neglect has occurred. Many institutions have internal 

policies and procedures for handling reports of abuse, 

and these usually require the person who suspects abuse 

to notify the head of the institution that abuse has been 

discovered or is suspected and needs to be reported to 

child protective services or other appropriate authorities. 

Statutes in 32 States, the District of Columbia, and the 

Virgin Islands provide procedures that must be followed 

in those cases.10 In 18 States, the District of Columbia, 

and the Virgin Islands, any staff member who suspects 

8 Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa (includes only 

instructors at community colleges), Louisiana, Oregon, Virginia, and 

Washington.

9 Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, 

Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode 

Island, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.

10 Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, 

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, 

Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, 

Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West 

Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 
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abuse must notify the head of the institution when the 

staff member feels that abuse or possible abuse should 

be reported to an appropriate authority.11 In 10 States, 

the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands, the 

staff member who suspects abuse notifies the head 

of the institution first, and then the head or his or her 

designee is required to make the report.12 In eight States, 

the individual reporter must make the report to the 

appropriate authority first and then notify the institution 

that a report has been made.13

Laws in 14 States make clear that, regardless of any 

policies within the organization, the mandatory reporter 

is not relieved of his or her responsibility to report.14 In 15 

States, an employer is expressly prohibited from taking 

any action to prevent or discourage an employee from 

making a report.15

Standards for Making a Report

The circumstances under which a mandatory reporter 

must make a report vary from State to State. Typically, 

a report must be made when the reporter, in his or her 

official capacity, suspects or has reason to believe that a 

child has been abused or neglected. Another standard 

frequently used is in situations in which the reporter has 

knowledge of, or observes a child being subjected to, 

conditions that would reasonably result in harm to the 

child. Permissive reporters follow the same standards 

when electing to make a report.

Privileged Communications 

Mandatory reporting statutes also may specify 

when a communication is privileged. “Privileged 

communications” is the statutory recognition of the 

11 California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, 

Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, 

Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

12 Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, 

South Dakota, Virginia, and Wyoming.

13 California, Connecticut (the Commissioner of Children and Families makes 

the notification), Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Tennessee, and West 

Virginia.

14 Alaska, California, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, 

North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.

15 Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, 

Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Vermont, 

and Wisconsin.

right to maintain confidential communications between 

professionals and their clients, patients, or congregants. 

To enable States to provide protection to maltreated 

children, the reporting laws in most States and territories 

restrict this privilege for mandated reporters. All but 

three States and Puerto Rico currently address the issue 

of privileged communications within their reporting 

laws, either affirming the privilege or denying it (i.e., not 

allowing privilege to be grounds for failing to report).16 For 

instance:

 The physician-patient and husband-wife privileges are 

the most common to be denied by States. 

 The attorney-client privilege is most commonly 

affirmed. 

 The clergy-penitent privilege is also widely affirmed, 

although that privilege usually is limited to confessional 

communications and, in some States, denied 

altogether.17

Inclusion of the Reporter’s Name in 

the Report 

Most States maintain toll-free telephone numbers for 

receiving reports of abuse or neglect.18 Reports may be 

made anonymously to most of these reporting numbers, 

but States find it helpful to their investigations to know the 

identity of reporters. Approximately 18 States, the District 

of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin 

Islands currently require mandatory reporters to provide 

their names and contact information, either at the time 

of the initial oral report or as part of a written report.19

The laws in Connecticut, Delaware, and Washington 

16 Connecticut, Mississippi, and New Jersey do not currently address the issue 

of privileged communications within their reporting laws. The issue of privilege 

may be addressed elsewhere in the statutes of these States, such as rules of 

evidence.

17 New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, West 

Virginia, and Guam disallow the use of the clergy-penitent privilege as 

grounds for failing to report suspected child abuse or neglect. For a more 

complete discussion of the requirement for clergy to report child abuse and 

neglect, see Information Gateway’s Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child 

Abuse and Neglect at https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/

statutes/clergymandated.cfm. 18 For State-specific information about these hotlines, see Information 

Gateway’s State Child Abuse Reporting Numbers at https://www.childwelfare.

gov/pubs/reslist/rl_dsp.cfm?rs_id=5&rate_chno=W-00082. 19 California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, 

Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New 

York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Vermont have this requirement.
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allow child protection workers to request the name of 

the reporter. In Wyoming, the reporter does not have to 

provide his or her identity as part of the written report, 

but if the person takes and submits photographs or x-rays 

of the child, his or her name must be provided.

Disclosure of the Reporter’s Identity 

All jurisdictions have provisions in statute to maintain the 

confidentiality of abuse and neglect records. The identity 

of the reporter is specifically protected from disclosure 

to the alleged perpetrator in 39 States, the District of 

Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the 

Northern Mariana Islands.20 This protection is maintained 

even when other information from the report may be 

disclosed.

Release of the reporter’s identity is allowed in some 

jurisdictions under specific circumstances or to specific 

departments or officials, for example, when information 

is needed for conducting an investigation or family 

assessment or upon a finding that the reporter knowingly 

made a false report (in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, 

Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, South Dakota, 

Vermont, and Virginia). In some jurisdictions (California, 

Florida, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, the 

District of Columbia, and Guam), the reporter can waive 

confidentiality and give consent to the release of his or 

her name.

20 The statutes in Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, 

New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Wyoming, and the 

Virgin Islands do not specifically protect reporter identity but do provide for 

confidentiality of records in general.

This publication is a product of the State Statutes 

Series prepared by Child Welfare Information 

Gateway. While every attempt has been made 

to be complete, additional information on these 

topics may be in other sections of a State’s code 

as well as agency regulations, case law, and 

informal practices and procedures.

Suggested citation: 

Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2014). Mandatory 

reporters of child abuse and neglect. Washington, 

DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Children’s Bureau.
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Alabama 

Professionals Required to Report

Ala. Code § 26-14-3

Reports are required from all of the following:

• Hospitals, clinics, sanitariums, doctors, physicians, surgeons, medical examiners, coroners, dentists, osteopaths, optometrists, 

chiropractors, podiatrists, pharmacists, physical therapists, and nurses

• Public and private K-12 employees, teachers, and school officials 

• Peace officers and law enforcement officials

• Social workers

• Daycare workers or employees

• Mental health professionals

• Employees of public and private institutions of postsecondary and higher education

• Members of the clergy

• Any other person called upon to render aid or medical assistance to a child 

Reporting by Other Persons

Ala. Code § 26-14-4

Any other person who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is being abused or neglected may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ala. Code § 26-14-3

A report must be made when the child is known or suspected of being a victim of abuse or neglect. 

Privileged Communications

Ala. Code §§ 26-14-3; 26-14-10

Only clergy-penitent and attorney-client privileges are permitted. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ala. Code § 26-14-8

The department will not release the identity of the reporter except under court order when the court has determined that the 

reporter knowingly made a false report. 

Alaska 

Professionals Required to Report

Alaska Stat. §§ 47.17.020; 47.17.023

The following persons are required to report:

• Health practitioners or administrative officers of institutions

• Teachers and school administrators, including athletic coaches, of public and private schools

• Child care providers 

• Paid employees of domestic violence and sexual assault programs, crisis intervention and prevention programs, or 

organizations that provide counseling or treatment to individuals seeking to control their use of drugs or alcohol 

• Peace officers or officers of the Department of Corrections 

• Persons who process or produce visual or printed matter, either privately or commercially

• Members of a child fatality review team or the multidisciplinary child protection team
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Reporting by Other Persons

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.020

Mandated reporters may report cases that come to their attention in their nonoccupational capacities. Any other person who has 

reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been harmed may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.020(g)

A person required to report child abuse or neglect who makes the report to the person’s job supervisor or to another individual 

working for the entity that employs the person is not relieved of the obligation to make the report to the department as required by 

law. 

Standards for Making a Report

Alaska Stat. §§ 47.17.020; 47.17.023

A report must be made when, in the performance of his or her occupational duties, a reporter has reasonable cause to suspect that a 

child has suffered harm as a result of abuse or neglect.

A person providing--either privately or commercially--film, photo, or visual or printed matter processing, production, or finishing 

services, or computer installation, repair, or other services, or Internet or cellular telephone services who, in the process of providing 

those services, observes a film, photo, picture, computer file, image, or other matter and has reasonable cause to suspect that the 

film, photo, picture, computer file, image, or other matter visually depicts a child engaged in conduct described in § 11.41.455(a) 

[sexual exploitation of a minor or child pornography], shall immediately report the observation to the nearest law enforcement 

agency. 

Privileged Communications

Alaska Stat. § 47.17.060

Neither the physician-patient nor the husband-wife privilege is recognized. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

American Samoa 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code § 45.2002

The following persons are required to report:

• Physicians or surgeons, including physicians in training, osteopaths, optometrists, chiropractors, podiatrists, child health 

associates, medical examiners or coroners, dentists, nurses, or hospital personnel 

• Christian Science practitioners 

• School officials or employees

• Social workers or workers in family care homes or child care centers

• Mental health professionals 

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code § 45.2002

All other persons are urged and authorized to report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 
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Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code § 45.2002

A report is required when:

• A reporter has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect. 

• A reporter has observed the child being subjected to circumstances or conditions that would result in abuse or neglect. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Code § 45.2016

The physician-patient privilege and the husband-wife privilege are not recognized as grounds for excluding evidence. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Code § 45.2010

The name, address, and occupation of the person making the report must be included in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Code § 45.2027

The identity of the reporter is not released to the subject of the report if that release would be detrimental to the safety or interests 

of the reporter. 

Arizona 

Professionals Required to Report

Rev. Stat. § 13-3620

The following persons are required to report: 

• Physicians, physician’s assistants, optometrists, dentists, behavioral health professionals, nurses, psychologists, counselors, or 

social workers

• Peace officers, child welfare investigators, or child protective services workers

• Members of the clergy, priests, or Christian Science practitioners 

• Parents, stepparents, or guardians 

• School personnel or domestic violence victim advocates 

• Any other person who has responsibility for the care or treatment of minors

Reporting by Other Persons

Rev. Stat. § 13-3620

Any other person who reasonably believes that a minor is a victim of abuse or neglect may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Rev. Stat. § 13-3620

A report is required when the reporter reasonably believes that a minor is a victim of abuse or neglect. 

Privileged Communications

Rev. Stat. § 13-3620

Only the attorney-client and the clergy-penitent privileges are recognized. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 
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Arkansas 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code § 12-18-402

The following individuals are mandated reporters:

• Child care, daycare, or foster care workers

• Coroners

• Dentists and dental hygienists

• Domestic abuse advocates and domestic violence shelter employees or volunteers

• Employees of the Department of Human Services

• Employees working under contract for the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services

• Foster parents 

• Judges, law enforcement officials, peace officers, and prosecuting attorneys

• Licensed nurses, physicians, mental health professionals or paraprofessionals, surgeons, resident interns, osteopaths, and 

medical personnel who may be engaged in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of persons

• Public or private school counselors; school officials, including without limitation institutions of higher education; and teachers

• Social workers and juvenile intake or probation officers

• Court-appointed special advocate program staff members or volunteers

• Attorneys ad litem

• Clergy members, which include ministers, priests, rabbis, accredited Christian Science practitioners, or other similar 

functionary of a religious organization

• Employees of a child advocacy center or a child safety center

• Sexual abuse advocates or volunteers who work with victims of sexual abuse as employees of a community-based victim 

service or mental health agency such as Safe Places, United Family Services, or Centers for Youth and Families

• Rape crisis advocates or volunteers

• Child abuse advocates or volunteers who work with child victims of abuse or maltreatment as employees of a communitybased victim service or a mental health agency

• Victim/witness coordinators

• Victim assistance professionals or volunteers

• Employees of the Crimes Against Children Division of the Department of Arkansas State Police

• Employees or volunteers at reproductive health-care facilities

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code § 12-18-401

Any person who has reasonable cause to suspect child maltreatment may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Code §§ 12-18-402(c); 12-18-204

An employer or supervisor of an employee identified as a mandated reporter shall not prohibit an employee or a volunteer from 

directly reporting child maltreatment to the Child Abuse Hotline.

An employer or supervisor of an employee identified as a mandated reporter shall not require an employee or a volunteer to obtain 

permission or notify any person, including an employee or a supervisor, before reporting child maltreatment to the Child Abuse 

Hotline.

Nothing in the reporting laws shall prohibit any person or institution from requiring an employee or volunteer who is a mandatory 

reporter to inform a representative of that person or institution that the reporter has made a report to the Child Abuse Hotline. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code § 12-18-402

An individual listed as a mandatory reporter shall immediately notify the Child Abuse Hotline if he or she:

• Has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been subjected to maltreatment or died as a result of maltreatment

• Observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in maltreatment
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Privileged Communications

Ann. Code §§ 12-18-402(c); 12-18-803

A privilege or contract shall not prevent a person from reporting child maltreatment when he or she is a mandated reporter and 

required to report under this section.

No privilege, except that between a lawyer and a client and between a minister, including a Christian Science practitioner, and a 

person confessing to or being counseled by a minister, shall prevent anyone from testifying concerning child maltreatment.

When a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, or therapist conducts interviews with or provides therapy to a subject of a 

report of suspected child maltreatment for purposes related to child maltreatment, the physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, licensed 

counselor, or therapist is deemed to be performing services on behalf of the child.

An adult subject of a report of suspected child maltreatment cannot invoke privilege on the child’s behalf. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Code § 12-18-302

A mandated reporter may report child maltreatment or suspected child maltreatment by telephone call, facsimile transmission, or 

online reporting.

Facsimile transmission and online reporting may be used in nonemergency situations by an identified mandated reporter who 

provides the following contact information:

• Name and phone number

• In the case of online reporting, his or her email address 

A mandated reporter who wishes to remain anonymous shall make a report through the toll-free Child Abuse Hotline telephone 

system. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Code § 12-18-909

The identity of the reporter shall not be disclosed unless a court determines that the reporter knowingly made a false report. 
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California 

Professionals Required to Report

Penal Code § 11165.7

Mandated reporters include the following:

• Teachers, teacher’s aides, administrators, and employees of public or private schools

• Administrators or employees of day camps, youth centers, or youth recreation programs

• Administrators or employees of licensed community care or child daycare facilities; Head Start program teachers

• Public assistance workers

• Foster parents, group home personnel, and personnel of residential care facilities

• Social workers, probation officers, and parole officers

• Employees of school district police or security departments

• District attorney investigators, inspectors, or local child support agency caseworkers

• Peace officers and firefighters, except for volunteer firefighters

• Physicians, surgeons, psychiatrists, psychologists, dentists, residents, interns, podiatrists, chiropractors, licensed nurses, 

dental hygienists, optometrists, marriage and family therapists, or social workers

• State or county public health employees who treat minors for venereal diseases or other conditions

• Coroners and medical examiners

• Commercial film and photographic print or image processors; computer technicians

• Child visitation monitors

• Animal control or humane society officers

• Clergy members and custodians of records of clergy members

• Employees of police departments, county sheriff’s departments, county probation departments, or county welfare 

departments

• Employees or volunteers of a Court-Appointed Special Advocate program

• Alcohol and drug counselors

• Employees or administrators of public or private postsecondary institutions

• Athletic coaches, athletic administrators, or athletic directors employed by any public or private schools

• Athletic coaches, including, but not limited to, assistant coaches or graduate assistants involved in coaching at public or 

private postsecondary institutions

Reporting by Other Persons

Penal Code §§ 11165.7; 11166

Volunteers of public or private organizations whose duties require direct contact with and supervision of children are not mandated 

reporters but are encouraged to obtain training in the identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect and are further 

encouraged to report known or suspected instances of child abuse or neglect.

Any other person who reasonably suspects that a child is a victim of abuse or neglect may report.

For the purposes of this section, ‘any other person’ includes a mandated reporter who acts in his or her private capacity and not in 

his or her professional capacity, or within the scope of his or her employment. 
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Institutional Responsibility to Report

Penal Code § 11166(h)-(i)

When two or more persons, who are required to report have joint knowledge of a known or suspected instance of child abuse or 

neglect, and when there is agreement among them, the telephone report may be made by a member of the team selected by 

mutual agreement and a single report may be made and signed by the selected member of the reporting team. Any member who 

has knowledge that the member designated to report has failed to do so shall thereafter make the report.

The reporting duties under this section are individual; no supervisor or administrator may impede or inhibit the reporting duties, and 

no person making a report shall be subject to any sanction for making the report. However, internal procedures to facilitate reporting 

and apprise supervisors and administrators of reports may be established provided that they are not inconsistent with this article. 

The internal procedures shall not require any employee required to make reports to disclose his or her identity to the employer.

Reporting the information regarding a case of possible child abuse or neglect to an employer, supervisor, school principal, school 

counselor, coworker, or other person shall not be a substitute for making a mandated report to an agency specified in § 11165.9. 

Standards for Making a Report

Penal Code §§ 11166; 11165.7

A report is required when:

• A mandated reporter, in his or her professional capacity or within the scope of his or her employment, has knowledge of or 

observes a child whom the reporter knows or reasonably suspects is the victim of abuse or neglect.

• Commercial film and photographic print processors have knowledge of or observe any film, photograph, videotape, negative, 

or slide depicting a child under age 16 engaged in an act of sexual conduct.

• Commercial computer technicians have knowledge of or observe, within the scope of their professional capacity or 

employment, any representation of information, data, or an image, including, but not limited to, any computer hardware, 

software, file, floppy disk, data storage medium, CD-ROM, computer-generated equipment, or computer-generated image, 

that is retrievable in perceivable form and that is intentionally saved, transmitted, or organized on an electronic medium, 

depicting a child under age 16 engaged in an act of sexual conduct. 

For the purposes of this article, ‘reasonable suspicion’ means that it is objectively reasonable for a person to entertain a suspicion, 

based upon facts that could cause a reasonable person in a like position, drawing, when appropriate, on his or her training and 

experience, to suspect child abuse or neglect. ‘Reasonable suspicion’ does not require certainty that child abuse or neglect has 

occurred nor does it require a specific medical indication of child abuse or neglect; any ‘reasonable suspicion’ is sufficient. For the 

purposes of this article, the pregnancy of a minor does not, in and of itself, constitute a basis for a reasonable suspicion of sexual 

abuse. 

Privileged Communications

Penal Code § 11166

The clergy-penitent privilege is permitted for penitential communications. This does not modify or limit a clergy member’s duty to 

report known or suspected child abuse or neglect when the clergy member is acting in some other capacity that would otherwise 

make the clergy member a mandated reporter. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Penal Code § 11167

Reports of mandated reporters shall include: 

• The name, business address, and telephone number of the mandated reporter 

• The capacity that makes the person a mandated reporter 

Reports of other persons do not require the reporter’s name. 
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Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Penal Code § 11167

The identity of the reporter shall be confidential and disclosed only:

• Among agencies receiving or investigating mandated reports

• To the prosecutor in a criminal prosecution or in an action initiated under § 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code arising 

from alleged child abuse

• To counsel appointed pursuant to § 317(c) of the Welfare and Institutions Code

• To the county counsel or prosecutor in a proceeding under Part 4 (commencing with Section 7800) of Division 12 of the Family 

Code or § 300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code

• To a licensing agency when abuse or neglect in out-of-home care is reasonably suspected

• When the reporter waives confidentiality

• By court order

Colorado 

Professionals Required to Report

Rev. Stat. § 19-3-304

Persons required to report include:

• Physicians, surgeons, physicians in training, child health associates, medical examiners, coroners, dentists, osteopaths, 

optometrists, chiropractors, podiatrists, nurses, hospital personnel, dental hygienists, physical therapists, pharmacists, 

registered dieticians

• Public or private school officials or employees

• Social workers, Christian Science practitioners, mental health professionals, psychologists, professional counselors, marriage 

and family therapists 

• Veterinarians, peace officers, firefighters, or victim’s advocates 

• Commercial film and photographic print processors 

• Counselors, marriage and family therapists, or psychotherapists 

• Clergy members, including priests; rabbis; duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of a church; members of 

religious orders; or recognized leaders of any religious bodies

• Workers in the State Department of Human Services 

• Juvenile parole and probation officers 

• Child and family investigators 

• Officers and agents of the State Bureau of Animal Protection and animal control officers

• The child protection ombudsman

• Educators providing services through a Federal special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, as 

provided for in 42 U.S.C. § 1786

• Directors, coaches, assistant coaches, or athletic program personnel employed by private sports organizations or programs

• Persons registered as psychologist candidates, marriage and family therapist candidates or licensed professional counselor 

candidates

• Emergency medical service providers

Reporting by Other Persons

Rev. Stat. § 19-3-304

Any other person may report known or suspected child abuse or neglect. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 
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Standards for Making a Report

Rev. Stat. § 19-3-304

A report is required when:

• A mandated reporter has reasonable cause to know or suspect child abuse or neglect. 

• A reporter has observed a child being subjected to circumstances or conditions that would reasonably result in abuse or 

neglect. 

• Commercial film and photographic print processors have knowledge of or observe any film, photograph, videotape, negative, 

or slide depicting a child engaged in an act of sexual conduct. 

Privileged Communications

Rev. Stat. §§ 19-3-304; 19-3-311

The clergy-penitent privilege is permitted. The physician-patient, psychologist-client, and husband-wife privileges are not allowed as 

grounds for failing to report. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Rev. Stat. § 19-3-307

The report shall include the name, address, and occupation of the person making the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Rev. Stat. § 19-1-307

The identity of the reporter shall be protected. 

Connecticut 

Professionals Required to Report

Gen. Stat. §§ 17a-101; 53a-65

The following persons are required to report: 

• Physicians, surgeons, residents, interns, nurses, medical examiners, dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, chiropractors, 

podiatrists, physician assistants, pharmacists, or physical therapists

• Psychologists or other mental health professionals 

• School employees, as defined by § 53a-65

• Social workers 

• Police officers, juvenile or adult probation officers, or parole officers 

• Members of the clergy 

• Alcohol and drug counselors, marital and family therapists, professional counselors, sexual assault counselors, or domestic 

violence counselors

• Licensed foster parents 

• Emergency medical services providers

• Any person paid to care for a child in any public or private facility, child daycare center, group daycare home, or family daycare 

home that is licensed by the State 

• Employees of the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Public Health who are responsible for the 

licensing of child daycare centers, group daycare homes, family daycare homes, or youth camps 

• The Child Advocate and any employee of the Office of Child Advocate

• Family relations counselor trainees or family services supervisors employed by the Judicial Department

The term ‘school employee’ includes teachers, substitute teachers, school administrators, school superintendents, guidance 

counselors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, physicians, school paraprofessionals, or coaches employed by a local or regional 

board of education or a private elementary, middle, or high school or any other person who, in the performance of his or her duties, 

has regular contact with students. 
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Reporting by Other Persons

Gen. Stat. § 17a-103

Any mandated reporter acting outside his or her professional capacity, or any other person having reasonable cause to suspect that 

a child is being abused or neglected, may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Gen. Stat. §§ 17a-101b(d); 17a-101e(a)

Whenever a mandated reporter has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child has been abused or neglected by a 

member of the staff of a public or private institution or facility that provides care for such child or a public or private school, the 

mandated reporter shall report as required by law. The Commissioner of Children and Families or the commissioner’s designee shall 

notify the principal, headmaster, executive director, or other person in charge of the institution, facility, or school, or the person’s 

designee, unless that person is the alleged perpetrator of the abuse or neglect of the child. In the case of a public school, the 

commissioner also shall notify the person’s employing superintendent. The person in charge, or the person’s designee, then shall 

immediately notify the child’s parent or other person responsible for the child’s care that a report has been made.

No employer shall:

• Discharge or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against any employee who in good faith makes a report of child abuse or 

neglect, testifies, or is about to testify in any proceeding involving child abuse or neglect 

• Hinder or prevent, or attempt to hinder or prevent, any employee from making a report as required or testifying in any 

proceeding involving child abuse or neglect

Standards for Making a Report

Gen. Stat. § 17a-101a

A report is required when, in the ordinary course of his or her employment or profession, a reporter has reasonable cause to suspect 

or believe that a child has been abused or neglected. 

Privileged Communications

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Gen. Stat. §§ 17a-101d; 17a-103

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to include his or her name in the report. The Commissioner of Children and 

Families shall use his or her best efforts to obtain the name and address of the reporter. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Gen. Stat. § 17a-28(f)

The name of an individual reporting suspected child abuse or neglect, or cooperating with an investigation of child abuse or neglect, 

shall be kept confidential upon request or upon determination by the department that disclosure of such information may be 

detrimental to the safety or interests of the individual.

When there is reasonable cause to believe that the reporter knowingly made a false report, however, the name of any such individual 

shall be disclosed to:

• An employee of the department for reasons reasonably related to the business of the department

• A law enforcement officer for purposes of investigating abuse or neglect of a child or youth

• A State’s attorney for purposes of investigating or prosecuting abuse or neglect of a child or youth

• An assistant attorney general or other legal counsel representing the department

• A judge of the Superior Court and all necessary parties in a court proceeding pursuant to § 17a-112 or 46b-129, or a criminal 

prosecution involving child abuse or neglect

• A State child care licensing agency

• The executive director of any institution, school, or facility or superintendent of schools pursuant to § 17a-101i
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Delaware 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code Tit. 16, § 903

Any person, agency, organization, or entity that knows or in good faith suspects child abuse or neglect shall make a report. For 

purposes of this section, ‘person’ shall include, but not be limited to:

• Physicians, interns, residents, nurses, or medical examiners

• Other persons in the healing arts, including persons licensed to render services in medicine, osteopathy, or dentistry

• School employees, social workers, or psychologists

• Hospitals or health-care institutions

• The Medical Society of Delaware

• Law enforcement agencies

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code Tit. 16, § 903

Any person who knows or in good faith suspects child abuse or neglect shall make a report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code Tit. 16, § 903

A report is required when the reporter knows or in good faith suspects child abuse or neglect. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Code Tit. 16, § 909

Only attorney-client and clergy-penitent privileges are recognized. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Code Tit. 16, § 905

Although reports may be made anonymously, the Division of Family Services shall request the name and address of any person 

making a report.

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

District of Columbia 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code § 4-1321.02

Persons required to report include:

• Child and Family Services Agency employees, agents, and contractors

• Physicians, psychologists, medical examiners, dentists, chiropractors, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, or persons 

involved in the care and treatment of patients

• Law enforcement officers or humane officers of any agency charged with the enforcement of animal cruelty laws

• School officials, teachers, or athletic coaches

• Department of Parks and Recreation employees, public housing resident managers, social service workers, or daycare workers

• Human trafficking counselors

• Domestic violence counselors or mental health professionals
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Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code § 4-1321.02

Any other person who knows or has reason to suspect that a child is being abused or neglected may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Code § 4-1321.02

Whenever a person is required to report in his or her capacity as a member of the staff of a hospital, school, social agency, or similar 

institution, he or she shall immediately notify the person in charge of the institution or his or her designated agent who shall then be 

required to make the report. The fact that such a notification has been made does not relieve the person who was originally required 

to report from his or her duty to report. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code § 4-1321.02

A report is required when:

• A mandated reporter knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child known to him or her in his or her professional or 

official capacity has been or is in immediate danger of being a mentally or physically abused or neglected child.

• A health professional, law enforcement officer, or humane officer, except an undercover officer whose identity or investigation 

might be jeopardized, has reasonable cause to believe that a child is abused as a result of inadequate care, control, or 

subsistence in the home environment due to exposure to drug-related activity.

• A mandated reporter knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child known to him or her in his or her professional 

or official capacity has been, or is in immediate danger of being, the victim of sexual abuse or attempted sexual abuse; the 

child was assisted, supported, caused, encouraged, commanded, enabled, induced, facilitated, or permitted to become a 

prostitute; the child has an injury caused by a bullet; or the child has an injury caused by a knife or other sharp object that was 

caused by other than accidental means.

• A licensed health professional who in his or her own professional or official capacity knows that a child under 12 months of age 

is diagnosed as having a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Privileged Communications

Ann. Code §§ 4-1321.02(b); 4-1321.05

A mandated reporter is not required to report when employed by a lawyer who is providing representation in a criminal, civil 

(including family law), or delinquency matter, and the basis for the suspicion arises solely in the course of that representation. 

Neither the husband-wife nor the physician-patient privilege is permitted. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Code § 4-1321.03

Mandated reporters are required to provide their names, occupations, and contact information. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Code § 4-1302.03

The Child Protection Register staff shall not release any information that identifies the source of a report or the witnesses to the 

incident referred to in a report to the alleged perpetrator of the abuse, the child’s parent or guardian, or a child-placing agency 

investigating a foster or adoptive placement, unless said staff first obtains permission from the source of the report or from the 

witnesses named in the report. 
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Florida 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Stat. § 39.201

The following persons are mandated reporters:

• Physicians, osteopaths, medical examiners, chiropractors, nurses, or hospital personnel 

• Other health or mental health professionals 

• Practitioners who rely solely on spiritual means for healing 

• Teachers or other school officials or personnel 

• Social workers, daycare center workers, or other professional child care, foster care, residential, or institutional workers 

• Law enforcement officers or judges

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Stat. § 39.201

Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal 

custodian, caregiver, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare or that a child is in need of supervision and care and has no 

parent, legal custodian, or responsible adult relative immediately known and available to provide supervision and care, shall report 

such knowledge or suspicion to the department.

Any person who knows or who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused by an adult other than a parent, legal 

custodian, caregiver, or other person responsible for the child’s welfare shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the department.

Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is the victim of childhood sexual abuse or the victim of a 

known or suspected juvenile sexual offender shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the department. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Stat. § 39.201

Nothing in this chapter or in the contracting with community-based care providers for foster care and related services as specified 

in § 409.1671 shall be construed to remove or reduce the duty and responsibility of any person, including any employee of the 

community-based care provider, to report a suspected or actual case of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect or the sexual abuse of 

a child to the central abuse hotline. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Stat. § 39.201

A report is required when:

• A person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected.

• A person knows that a child is in need of supervision and care and has no parent, legal custodian, or responsible adult relative 

immediately known and available to provide supervision and care.

Privileged Communications

Ann. Stat. § 39.204

Only attorney-client and clergy-penitent privileges are permitted. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Stat. § 39.201

Professionals who are mandated reporters are required to provide their names to hotline staff. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Stat. §§ 39.201; 39.202

The names of reporters shall be entered into the record of the report but shall be held confidential. The name of the reporter 

may not be released to any person other than employees of the Department of Children and Family Services responsible for child 

protective services, the central abuse hotline, law enforcement, the child protection team, or the appropriate State attorney, without 

the written consent of the person reporting.

This does not prohibit the serving of a subpoena to a person reporting child abuse, abandonment, or neglect when deemed 

necessary by the court, the State attorney, or the department, provided the fact that such person made the report is not disclosed. 
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Georgia 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code §§ 19-7-5; 16-12-100

The following persons are required to report: 

• Physicians, physician assistants, residents, interns, hospital and medical personnel, podiatrists, dentists, or nurses

• Teachers, school administrators, guidance counselors, visiting teachers, school social workers, or school psychologists 

• Psychologists, counselors, social workers, or marriage and family therapists 

• Child welfare agency personnel (as that agency is defined by § 49-5-12) or child-counseling personnel

• Child service organization personnel (includes any organization, whether public, private, for-profit, not-for-profit, or voluntary, 

that provides care, treatment, education, training, supervision, coaching, counseling, recreational programs, or shelter to 

children)

• Law enforcement personnel

• Reproductive health-care facility or pregnancy resource center personnel and volunteers

• Persons who process or produce visual or printed matter 

The term ‘school’ means any public or private prekindergarten, elementary school, secondary school, technical school, vocational 

school, college, university, or institution of postsecondary education. 

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code § 19-7-5

Any other person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Code § 19-7-5

If a person is required to report child abuse because that person attends to a child as part of the person’s duties as an employee of 

or volunteer at a hospital, school, social agency, or similar facility, that person shall notify the person in charge of the facility, or the 

designated delegate thereof, and the person so notified shall report or cause a report to be made in accordance with this section. 

An employee or volunteer who makes a report to the person designated shall be deemed to have fully complied with this subsection. 

Under no circumstances shall any person in charge of such hospital, school, agency, or facility, or the designated delegate thereof, 

to whom such notification has been made exercise any control, restraint, modification, or make other change to the information 

provided by the reporter, although each of the aforementioned persons may be consulted prior to the making of a report and may 

provide any additional, relevant, and necessary information when making the report. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code §§ 19-7-5; 16-12-100

A report is required when:

• A reporter has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused. 

• A person who processes or produces visual or printed matter has reasonable cause to believe that the visual or printed matter 

submitted for processing or producing depicts a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Code § 19-7-5(g)

A mandated reporter must report regardless of whether the reasonable cause to believe that abuse has occurred or is occurring is 

based in whole or in part upon any communication to that person that is otherwise made privileged or confidential by law. However, 

a member of the clergy shall not be required to report child abuse reported solely within the context of confession or other similar 

communication required to be kept confidential under church doctrine or practice. When a clergy member receives information 

about child abuse from any other source, the clergy member shall comply with the reporting requirements of this section, even 

though the clergy member may have also received a report of child abuse from the confession of the perpetrator. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 
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Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Code § 49-5-41

Any release of records shall protect the identity of any person reporting child abuse. 

Guam 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code Tit. 19, § 13201

Persons required to report suspected child abuse include, but are not limited to:

• Physicians, medical examiners, dentists, osteopaths, optometrists, chiropractors, podiatrists, interns, nurses, hospital 

personnel, or Christian Science practitioners

• Clergy members

• School administrators, teachers, nurses, or counselors 

• Social services workers, daycare center workers, or any other child care or foster care workers 

• Mental health professionals, peace officers, or law enforcement officials 

• Commercial film and photographic print processors

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code Tit. 19, § 13202

Any person may make a report if that person has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is an abused or neglected child. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code Tit. 19, § 13201

A report is required when:

• A reporter, who in the course of his or her employment, occupation, or professional practice comes into contact with children, 

has reason to suspect on the basis of his or her medical, professional, or other training and experience that a child is an 

abused or neglected child. 

• Any commercial film and photographic print processor has knowledge of or observes any film, photograph, videotape, 

negative, or slide depicting a child under age 18 engaged in an act of sexual conduct. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Code Tit. 19, § 13201

No person may claim privileged communications as a basis for his or her refusal or failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect 

or to provide Child Protective Services or the Guam Police Department with required information. Such privileges are specifically 

abrogated with respect to reporting suspected child abuse or neglect or of providing information to the agency. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Code Tit. 19, § 13203

Every report should include the name of the person making the report. Persons who are required by law to report shall be required 

to reveal their names. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Code Tit. 19, § 13203

The identity of the reporter shall be confidential and may be disclosed only:

• Among child protective agencies

• To counsel representing a child protective agency

• To the attorney general’s office in a criminal prosecution or family court action

• To a licensing agency when abuse in licensed out-of-home care is reasonably suspected

• When the reporter waives confidentiality

• By court order
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Hawaii 

Professionals Required to Report

Rev. Stat. § 350-1.1

The following persons are required to report:

• Physicians, physicians in training, psychologists, dentists, nurses, osteopathic physicians and surgeons, optometrists, 

chiropractors, podiatrists, pharmacists, and other health-related professionals 

• Medical examiners or coroners 

• Employees or officers of any public or private school

• Child care employees or employees or officers of any licensed or registered child care facility, foster home, or similar 

institution 

• Employees or officers of any public or private agency or institution, or other individuals, providing social, medical, hospital, or 

mental health services, including financial assistance 

• Employees or officers of any law enforcement agency, including, but not limited to, the courts, police departments, 

departments of public safety, correctional institutions, and parole or probation offices 

• Employees of any public or private agency providing recreational or sports activities 

Reporting by Other Persons

Rev. Stat. § 350-1.3

Any other person who becomes aware of facts or circumstances that cause the person to believe that child abuse or neglect has 

occurred may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Rev. Stat. § 350-1.1

Whenever a person designated as a mandatory reporter is a member of the staff of any public or private school, agency, or 

institution, that staff member shall immediately report the known or suspected child abuse or neglect directly to the department 

or to the police department and also shall immediately notify the person in charge or a designated delegate of the report made in 

accordance with this chapter. 

Standards for Making a Report

Rev. Stat. § 350-1.1

A report is required when, in his or her professional or official capacity, a reporter has reason to believe that child abuse or neglect 

has occurred or that there exists a substantial risk that child abuse or neglect may occur in the reasonably foreseeable future. 

Privileged Communications

Rev. Stat. § 350-5

The physician-patient, psychologist-client, husband-wife, and victim-counselor privileges are not grounds for failing to report. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Rev. Stat. § 350-1.4

Every reasonable good-faith effort shall be made by the department to maintain the confidentiality of the name of a reporter who 

requests that his or her name be confidential. 
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Idaho 

Professionals Required to Report

Idaho Code § 16-1605

The following persons are required to report:

• Physicians, residents on hospital staffs, interns, nurses, or coroners

• Teachers or daycare personnel 

• Social workers or law enforcement personnel 

• Other persons

Reporting by Other Persons

Idaho Code § 16-1605

Any person who has reason to believe that a child has been abused, abandoned, or neglected is required to report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Idaho Code § 16-1605

When the attendance of a physician, resident, intern, nurse, daycare worker, or social worker is pursuant to the performance of 

services as a member of the staff of a hospital or similar institution, he or she shall notify the person in charge of the institution, or his 

or her designated delegate, who shall make the necessary reports. 

Standards for Making a Report

Idaho Code § 16-1605

A report is required when:

• A person has reason to believe that a child has been abused, abandoned, or neglected. 

• A person observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse, 

abandonment, or neglect. 

Privileged Communications

Idaho Code §§ 16-1605; 16-1606

Any privilege between a husband and wife and any professional and client, except for the clergy-penitent or attorney-client privilege, 

shall not be grounds for failure to report.

Any privilege between husband and wife, or between any professional person--except the lawyer-client privilege and including, 

but not limited to, physicians, counselors, hospitals, clinics, daycare centers, and schools--and their clients shall not be grounds for 

excluding evidence at any proceeding regarding the abuse, abandonment, or neglect of the child or the cause thereof. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 
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Illinois 

Professionals Required to Report

Comp. Stat. Ch. 325, § 5/4; Ch. 720, § 5/11-20.2

The following persons are required to report:

• Physicians, residents, interns, hospital administrators and personnel, surgeons, dentists, dental hygienists, osteopaths, 

chiropractors, podiatric physicians, physician assistants, or substance abuse treatment personnel

• Funeral home directors or employees, coroners, or medical examiners 

• Emergency medical technicians, acupuncturists, or crisis line or hotline personnel

• School personnel, including administrators and employees, educational advocates, or truant officers

• Personnel of institutions of higher education

• Members of a school board or the Chicago Board of Education

• Members of the governing body of a private school

• Social workers, social services administrators, or domestic violence program personnel

• Nurses, genetic counselors, respiratory care practitioners, advanced practice nurses, or home health aides

• Directors or staff assistants of nursery schools or child care centers, or recreational or athletic program or facility personnel

• Early intervention providers, as defined in the Early Intervention Services System Act

• Law enforcement officers or probation officers

• Licensed professional counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, or their assistants

• Field personnel of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Juvenile Justice, Public Health, Human Services, 

Corrections, Human Rights, or Children and Family Services

• Supervisors and administrators of general assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code

• Animal control officers or Department of Agriculture Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare field investigators 

• Foster parents, homemakers, or child care workers

• Members of the clergy

• Commercial film and photographic print processors or computer technicians

Reporting by Other Persons

Comp. Stat. Ch. 325, § 5/4

Any other person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child is abused or neglected may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Comp. Stat. Ch. 325, § 5/4

Whenever such person is required to report in his or her capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private 

institution, school, facility, or agency, or as a member of the clergy, he or she shall make a report immediately to the Department 

of Children and Family Services and also may notify the person in charge of such institution, school, facility, or agency, or church, 

synagogue, temple, mosque, or other religious institution, or his or her designated agent that a report has been made. Under no 

circumstances shall any person in charge of such institution, school, facility, or agency, or church, synagogue, temple, mosque, or 

other religious institution, or his or her designated agent to whom such notification has been made, exercise any control, restraint, 

modification, or other change in the report or the forwarding of the report to the department. 

Standards for Making a Report

Comp. Stat. Ch. 325, § 5/4; Ch. 720, § 5/11-20.2

A report is required when:

• A reporter has reasonable cause to believe that a child known to him or her in his or her professional capacity may be abused 

or neglected.

• A physician, physician’s assistant, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, medical technician, certified nursing assistant, 

social worker, or licensed professional counselor of any office, clinic, or any other physical location that provides abortions, 

abortion referrals, or contraceptives has reasonable cause to believe a child known to him or her in his or her professional or 

official capacity may be an abused child or a neglected child.

• Commercial film and photographic print processors or computer technicians have knowledge of or observe any film, 

photograph, videotape, negative, slide, computer hard drive, or any other magnetic or optical media that depicts a child 

engaged in any actual or simulated sexual conduct. 
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Privileged Communications

Comp. Stat. Ch. 325, § 5/4; Ch. 735, § 5/8-803

The privileged quality of communication between any professional person required to report and his or her patient or client shall not 

apply to situations involving abused or neglected children and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report. 

A member of the clergy shall not be compelled to disclose a confession or admission made to him or her as part of the discipline of 

the religion. 

The reporting requirements shall not apply to the contents of a privileged communication between an attorney and his or her 

client or to confidential information within the meaning of Rule 1.6 of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct relating to the legal 

representation of an individual client. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Comp. Stat. Ch. 325, § 5/7.9

The report shall include the name, occupation, and contact information of the person making the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Comp. Stat. Ch. 325, § 5/11.1a

Any disclosure of information shall not identify the person making the report. 

Indiana 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code § 31-33-5-2

Mandatory reporters include any staff member of a medical or other public or private institution, school, facility, or agency. 

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code § 31-33-5-1

Any person who has reason to believe that a child is a victim of abuse or neglect must report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Code §§ 31-33-5-2; 31-33-5-3

If an individual is required to make a report under this article in the individual’s capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or 

other public or private institution, school, facility, or agency, the individual shall immediately notify the individual in charge of the 

institution, school, facility, or agency or the designated agent of the individual in charge of the institution, school, facility, or agency.

An individual notified as required above shall report or cause a report to be made.

This chapter does not relieve an individual of the obligation to report on the individual’s own behalf, unless a report has already been 

made to the best of the individual’s belief. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code §§ 31-33-5-1; 31-33-5-2

A report is required when any person has reason to believe that a child is a victim of abuse or neglect. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Code § 31-32-11-1

Privileged communications between any of the following shall not be grounds for failing to report: 

• A husband and wife

• A health-care provider and the provider’s patient 

• A licensed social worker, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, addiction counselor, or 

clinical addiction counselor and a client of any of these professionals

• A school counselor or psychologist and a student
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Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Code § 31-33-7-4

The written report must include the name and contact information for the person making the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Code § 31-33-18-2

The report shall be made available to the person about whom a report has been made, with protection for the identity of:

• Any person reporting known or suspected child abuse or neglect

• Any other person if the person or agency making the information available finds that disclosure of the information would be 

likely to endanger the life or safety of the person

The report also may be made available to each parent, guardian, custodian, or other person responsible for the welfare of a child 

named in a report, with protection for the identity of reporters and other appropriate individuals. 

Iowa 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Stat. §§ 232.69; 728.14

The following persons are required to report:

• Health practitioners 

• Social workers or psychologists

• School employees, certified paraeducators, coaches, or instructors employed by community colleges 

• Employees or operators of health-care facilities, child care centers, Head Start programs, family development and selfsufficiency grant programs, substance abuse programs or facilities, juvenile detention or juvenile shelter care facilities, foster 

care facilities, or mental health centers 

• Employees of Department of Human Services institutions 

• Peace officers, counselors, or mental health professionals 

• Commercial film and photographic print processors 

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Stat. § 232.69

Any other person who believes that a child has been abused may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Stat. § 232.70

The employer or supervisor of a person who is a mandatory or permissive reporter shall not apply a policy, work rule, or other 

requirement that interferes with the person making a report of child abuse. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Stat. §§ 232.69; 728.14

A report is required when:

• A reporter, in the scope of his or her professional practice or employment responsibilities, reasonably believes that a child has 

been abused. 

• A commercial film and photographic print processor has knowledge of or observes a visual depiction of a minor engaged in a 

prohibited sexual act or in the simulation of a prohibited sexual act. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Stat. § 232.74

The husband-wife or health practitioner-patient privilege does not apply to evidence regarding abuse to a child. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Stat. § 232.70

The report shall contain the name and address of the person making the report. 
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Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Stat. § 232.71B

The department shall not reveal the identity of the reporter to the subject of the report. 

Kansas 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Stat. § 38-2223

The following persons are required to report:

• Persons providing medical care or treatment, including persons licensed to practice the healing arts, dentistry, and 

optometry; persons engaged in postgraduate training programs approved by the State Board of Healing Arts; licensed 

professional or practical nurses; and chief administrative officers of medical care facilities

• Persons licensed by the State to provide mental health services, including psychologists, clinical psychotherapists, social 

workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and registered alcohol and drug abuse counselors 

• Teachers, school administrators, or other employees of an educational institution that the child is attending 

• Licensed child care providers or their employees at the place where the child care services are being provided to the child

• Firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, law enforcement officers, juvenile intake and assessment workers, court 

services officers, community corrections officers, case managers, and mediators

• Employees or volunteers for any organization, whether for profit or not-for-profit, that provides social services to pregnant 

teenagers, including, but not limited to, counseling, adoption services, and pregnancy education and maintenance

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Stat. § 38-2223

Any person who has reason to suspect that a child may be a child in need of care may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Stat. § 38-2223

Reports of child abuse or neglect occurring in an institution operated by the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services or 

the Department of Juvenile Justice shall be made to the attorney general. All other reports of child abuse or neglect by persons 

employed by or of children of persons employed by the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services shall be made to the 

appropriate law enforcement agency. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Stat. § 38-2223

A report is required when a reporter has reason to suspect that a child has been harmed as a result of physical, mental, or emotional 

abuse or neglect or sexual abuse. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Stat. § 38-2249

In all proceedings under this code, the rules of evidence of the code of civil procedure shall apply, except that no evidence relating 

to the condition of a child shall be excluded solely on the ground that the matter is or may be the subject of a physician-patient 

privilege, psychologist-client privilege, or social worker-client privilege. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Stat. § 38-2213

Information authorized to be disclosed in this subsection shall not contain information that identifies a reporter of a child alleged or 

adjudicated to be a child in need of care. 
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Kentucky 

Professionals Required to Report

Rev. Stat. § 620.030

All persons are required to report, including, but not limited to:

• Physicians, osteopathic physicians, nurses, coroners, medical examiners, residents, interns, chiropractors, dentists, 

optometrists, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, or health professionals

• Teachers, school personnel, or child care personnel 

• Social workers or mental health professionals 

• Peace officers 

Reporting by Other Persons

Rev. Stat. § 620.030

Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child is dependent, neglected, or abused shall immediately report. 

Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child is a victim of human trafficking as defined in § 529.010 

immediately shall cause an oral or written report to be made to a local law enforcement agency or the State police, the cabinet or its 

designated representative, or the Commonwealth’s attorney or the county attorney by telephone or otherwise. This subsection shall 

apply regardless of whether the person believed to have caused the human trafficking of the child is a parent, guardian, or person 

exercising custodial control or supervision.

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Rev. Stat. § 620.030(1)

Any supervisor who receives from an employee a report of suspected dependency, neglect, or abuse shall promptly make a report 

to the proper authorities for investigation. Nothing in this section shall relieve individuals of their obligations to report. 

Standards for Making a Report

Rev. Stat. § 620.030

A report is required when a person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child is dependent, neglected, or abused. 

Privileged Communications

Rev. Stat. § 620.030(3)

Neither the husband-wife nor any professional-client/patient privilege, except the attorney-client and clergy-penitent privilege, shall 

be a ground for refusing to report. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Rev. Stat. § 620.050

The identity of the reporter shall not be disclosed except: 

• To law enforcement officials, the agency investigating or assessing the report, or to a multidisciplinary team 

• Under court order, after a court has found reason to believe the reporter knowingly made a false report

• To the external child fatality and near fatality review panel established by § 620.055
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Louisiana 

Professionals Required to Report

Children’s Code Art. 603(15)

Mandatory reporters include any of the following individuals:

• Health practitioners, including physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, dentists, residents, interns, hospital staff, podiatrists, 

chiropractors, nurses, nursing aides, dental hygienists, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, optometrists, medical 

examiners, or coroners

• Mental health/social service practitioners, including psychiatrists, psychologists, marriage or family counselors, social workers, 

members of the clergy, or aides

• Members of the clergy, including priests, rabbis, duly ordained clerical deacons or ministers, Christian Science practitioners, 

or other similarly situated functionaries of a religious organization

• Teaching or child care providers, including public or private teachers, teacher’s aides, instructional aides, school principals, 

school staff members, bus drivers, coaches, professors, technical or vocational instructors, technical or vocational school staff 

members, college or university administrators, college or university staff members, social workers, probation officers, foster 

home parents, group home or other child care institutional staff members, personnel of residential home facilities, daycare 

providers, or any individual who provides such services to a child in a voluntary or professional capacity

• Police officers or law enforcement officials

• Commercial film and photographic print processors

• Mediators

• Parenting coordinators

• Court-appointed special advocates

• Organizational or youth activity providers, including administrators, employees, or volunteers of any day camp, summer camp, 

youth center, or youth recreation programs or any other organization that provides organized activities for children

• School coaches, including, but not limited to, public technical or vocational school, community college, college, or university 

coaches and coaches of intramural or interscholastic athletics

Reporting by Other Persons

Children’s Code Art. 609

Any other person who has cause to believe that a child’s health is endangered as a result of abuse or neglect may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Children’s Code Art. 609; 610

A report is required when:

• A reporter has cause to believe that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare is endangered as a result of abuse or 

neglect. 

• A commercial film or photographic print processor has knowledge of or observes any film, photograph, videotape, negative, 

or slide depicting a child, whom he or she knows or should know is under age 17, that constitutes child pornography. 

• A physician has cause to believe that a newborn was exposed in utero to an unlawfully used controlled dangerous substance, 

as determined by a toxicology test upon the newborn, without the consent of the newborn’s parents or guardian. Positive test 

results shall not be admissible in a criminal prosecution.

• A physician observes symptoms of withdrawal in a newborn or other observable and harmful effects in his or her physical 

appearance or functioning that the physician has cause to believe are due to the chronic or severe use of alcohol by the 

mother during pregnancy.
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Privileged Communications

Children’s Code Art. 603; 609

A clergy member is not required to report a confidential communication from a person to a member of the clergy who, in the course 

of the discipline or practice of that church, denomination, or organization, is authorized or accustomed to hearing confidential 

communications and, under the discipline or tenets of the church, denomination, or organization, has a duty to keep such 

communications confidential.

Notwithstanding any claim of privileged communication, any mandatory reporter who has cause to believe that a child’s physical or 

mental health or welfare is endangered as a result of abuse or neglect, or that abuse or neglect was a contributing factor in a child’s 

death, shall report. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Children’s Code Art. 610

The report must include the name and address of the reporter. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Rev. Stat. § 46:56(F)(8)(b)

The identity of the reporter shall not be released unless a court finds that the reporter knowingly made a false report. 

Maine 

Professionals Required to Report

Rev. Stat. Tit. 22, § 4011-A

Mandatory reporters include:

• The following persons, when acting in a professional capacity:

» Allopathic or osteopathic physicians, residents, interns, emergency medical services persons, medical examiners, 

physician’s assistants, dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, chiropractors, podiatrists, or registered or licensed 

practical nurses

» Teachers, guidance counselors, school officials, youth camp administrators or counselors, or social workers

» Court-appointed special advocates or guardians ad litem

» Homemakers, home health aides, medical or social service workers, psychologists, child care personnel, or mental health 

professionals 

» Law enforcement officials, State or municipal fire inspectors, or municipal code enforcement officials

» Commercial film and photographic print processors 

» Clergy members

» Chairs of professional licensing boards that have jurisdiction over mandated reporters

» Humane agents employed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources

» Sexual assault counselors or family or domestic violence victim advocates

» School bus drivers or attendants

• Any person who has assumed full, intermittent, or occasional responsibility for the care or custody of the child, regardless of 

whether the person receives compensation

• Any person affiliated with a church or religious institution who serves in an administrative capacity or has otherwise assumed a 

position of trust or responsibility to the members of that church or religious institution, while acting in that capacity, regardless 

of whether the person receives compensation

Reporting by Other Persons

Rev. Stat. Tit. 22, § 4011-A

Any person may make a report if that person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or is likely to be abused 

or neglected or that there has been a suspicious child death.

An animal control officer may report to the department when that person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has 

been or is likely to be abused or neglected. 
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Institutional Responsibility to Report

Rev. Stat. Tit. 22, § 4011-A

Whenever a person is required to report in a capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or public or private institution, agency, 

or facility, that person immediately shall notify either the person in charge of the institution, agency, or facility or a designated agent 

who then shall cause a report to be made. The staff also may make a report directly to the department. 

Standards for Making a Report

Rev. Stat. Tit. 22, §§ 4011-A; 4011-B

A report is required when:

• The person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is or is likely to be abused or neglected or that a suspicious 

death has occurred. 

• When a child who is under 6 months of age or otherwise nonambulatory exhibits evidence of the following:

» Fracture of a bone

» Substantial bruising or multiple bruises

» Subdural hematoma

» Burns

» Poisoning

» Injury resulting in substantial bleeding, soft tissue swelling, or impairment of an organ

• A health-care provider involved in the delivery or care of an infant knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that the infant 

has been born affected by illegal substance abuse or is demonstrating withdrawal symptoms that require medical monitoring 

or care beyond standard newborn care when those symptoms have resulted from or have likely resulted from prenatal drug 

exposure, whether the prenatal exposure was to legal or illegal drugs, or has fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Privileged Communications

Rev. Stat. Tit. 22, §§ 4011-A; 4015

A member of the clergy may claim privilege when information is received during a confidential communication. The husband-wife 

and physician- and psychotherapist-patient privileges cannot be invoked as a reason not to report. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Rev. Stat. Tit. 22, § 4012

The report shall include the name, occupation, and contact information for the person making the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Rev. Stat. Tit. 22, § 4008

The department will protect the identity of reporters and other persons as appropriate when disclosing information in the records to 

a child named in a report, the child’s parent, custodian, or caregiver, or a party to a child protection proceeding. 

Maryland 

Professionals Required to Report

Fam. Law § 5-704

Persons required to report include:

• Health practitioners 

• Educators or human service workers

• Police officers 

Reporting by Other Persons

Fam. Law § 5-705

Any other person who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect must report. 

An individual may notify the local department or the appropriate law enforcement agency if the individual has reason to believe that 

a parent, guardian, or caregiver of a child allows the child to reside with or be in the regular presence of an individual, other than the 

child’s parent or guardian, who is registered as a child sex offender and, based on additional information, poses a substantial risk of 

sexual abuse to the child. 
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Institutional Responsibility to Report

Fam. Law § 5-704

A mandated reporter who is acting as a staff member of a hospital, public health agency, child care institution, juvenile detention 

center, school, or similar institution immediately shall notify and give all information required by this section to the head of the 

institution or the designee of the head. 

Standards for Making a Report

Fam. Law §§ 5-704; 5-705

A mandatory reporter is required to report when, acting in a professional capacity, the person has reason to believe that a child has 

been subjected to abuse or neglect. Other persons shall report when they have reason to believe that a child has been subjected to 

abuse or neglect. 

Privileged Communications

Fam. Law §§ 5-704; 5-705

Mandatory reporters are required to report regardless of any other provision of law, including any law on privileged communications. 

Only attorney-client and clergy-penitent privileges are permitted. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 
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Massachusetts 

Professionals Required to Report

Gen. Laws Ch. 119, § 21

Mandatory reporters include:

• Physicians, medical interns, hospital personnel, medical examiners, psychologists, emergency medical technicians, dentists, 

nurses, chiropractors, podiatrists, optometrists, osteopaths, allied mental health and human services professionals, drug and 

alcoholism counselors, psychiatrists, or clinical social workers

• Public or private schoolteachers, educational administrators, guidance or family counselors, or child care workers

• Persons paid to care for or work with a child in any public or private facility, home, or program that provides child care or 

residential services to children

• Persons who provide the services of child care resource and referral agencies, voucher management agencies, family child 

care systems, or child care food programs

• Licensors of the Department of Early Education and Care or school attendance officers

• Probation officers, clerk-magistrates of a district court, parole officers, social workers, foster parents, firefighters, or police 

officers

• Priests, rabbis, clergy members, ordained or licensed ministers, leaders of any church or religious body, or accredited 

Christian Science practitioners

• Persons performing official duties on behalf of a church or religious body that are recognized as the duties of a priest, rabbi, 

clergy, ordained or licensed minister, leader of any church or religious body, accredited Christian Science practitioner

• Persons employed by a church or religious body to supervise, educate, coach, train, or counsel a child on a regular basis

• Persons in charge of a medical or other public or private institution, school, or facility or that person’s designated agent

• The child advocate

Reporting by Other Persons

Gen. Laws Ch. 119, § 51A

Any other person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child is suffering from or has died as a result of abuse or neglect may 

file a report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Gen. Laws Ch. 119, § 51A(a), (h)

If a mandated reporter is a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, school, or facility, the mandated 

reporter may instead notify the person or designated agent in charge of such institution, school, or facility, who shall become 

responsible for notifying the department in the manner required by this section.

No employer shall discharge, discriminate, or retaliate against a mandated reporter who, in good faith, files a report, testifies, or is 

about to testify in any proceeding involving child abuse or neglect. Any employer who discharges, discriminates, or retaliates against 

that mandated reporter shall be liable to the mandated reporter for treble damages, costs, and attorney’s fees. 

Standards for Making a Report

Gen. Laws Ch. 119, § 51A

A mandated reporter must report when, in his or her professional capacity, he or she has reasonable cause to believe that a child is 

suffering physical or emotional injury resulting from:

• Abuse inflicted upon the child that causes harm or substantial risk of harm to the child’s health or welfare, including sexual 

abuse

• Neglect, including malnutrition

• Physical dependence upon an addictive drug at birth

• Being a sexually exploited child

• Being a human trafficking victim as defined by chapter 233, § 20M
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Privileged Communications

Gen. Laws Ch. 119, § 51A

Any privilege relating to confidential communications, established by §§ 135 to 135B, inclusive, of chapter 112 [pertaining to social 

worker-client privilege] or by §§ 20A [clergy-penitent privilege] and 20B [psychotherapist-patient privilege] of chapter 233, shall 

not prohibit the filing of a report under this section or a care and protection petition under § 24, except that a priest, rabbi, clergy, 

member, ordained or licensed minister, leader of a church or religious body, or accredited Christian Science practitioner need not 

report information solely gained in a confession or similarly confidential communication in other religious faiths. Nothing in the 

general laws shall modify or limit the duty of a priest, rabbi, clergy member, ordained or licensed minister, leader of a church or 

religious body, or accredited Christian Science practitioner to report suspected child abuse or neglect under this section when the 

priest, rabbi, clergy member, ordained or licensed minister, leader of a church or religious body, or accredited Christian Science 

practitioner is acting in some other capacity that would otherwise make him or her a mandated reporter. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Gen. Laws Ch. 119, § 51A

A report shall include the name of the person making the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Michigan 

Professionals Required to Report

Comp. Laws § 722.623

Mandatory reporters include:

• Physicians, physician assistants, dentists, dental hygienists, medical examiners, nurses, persons licensed to provide emergency 

medical care, or audiologists 

• School administrators, counselors, or teachers 

• Regulated child care providers 

• Psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, social workers, or social work technicians

• Persons employed in a professional capacity in any office of the friend of the court

• Law enforcement officers 

• Members of the clergy 

• Department employees, including eligibility specialists, family independence managers, family independence specialists, 

social services specialists, social work specialists, social work specialist managers, or welfare services specialists

• Any employee of an organization or entity that, as a result of Federal funding statutes, regulations, or contracts, would be 

prohibited from reporting in the absence of a State mandate or court order

Reporting by Other Persons

Comp. Laws § 722.624

Any other person, including a child, who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Comp. Laws § 722.623

If the reporting person is a member of the staff of a hospital, agency, or school, the reporting person shall notify the person in charge 

of the hospital, agency, or school of his or her finding and that the report has been made, and shall make a copy of the written report 

available to the person in charge. A notification to the person in charge of a hospital, agency, or school does not relieve the member 

of the staff of the hospital, agency, or school of the obligation of reporting to the department as required by this section. One report 

from a hospital, agency, or school is adequate to meet the reporting requirement. A member of the staff of a hospital, agency, or 

school shall not be dismissed or otherwise penalized for making a report required by this act or for cooperating in an investigation. 

Standards for Making a Report

Comp. Laws § 722.623

A report is required when a reporter has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect. 
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Privileged Communications

Comp. Laws § 722.631

Only the attorney-client or clergy-penitent privilege can be grounds for not reporting.

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Comp. Laws §§ 722,625; 722.627

The identity of a reporting person is confidential and subject to disclosure only with the consent of that person or by judicial process.

The identity of the reporter is protected in any release of information to the subject of the report. 

Minnesota

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Stat. § 626.556, Subd. 3

Mandatory reporters include:

• A professional or professional’s delegate who is engaged in the practice of the healing arts, hospital administration, 

psychological or psychiatric treatment, child care, education, social services, correctional supervision, probation or 

correctional services, or law enforcement 

• A member of the clergy who received the information while engaged in ministerial duties 

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Stat. § 626.556, Subd. 3

Any other person may voluntarily report if the person knows, has reason to believe, or suspects that a child is being neglected or 

subjected to sexual or physical abuse. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Stat. § 626.556, Subd. 3(c)

A person mandated to report physical or sexual child abuse or neglect occurring within a licensed facility shall report the information 

to the agency responsible for licensing the facility or a nonlicensed personal care provider organization. A health or corrections 

agency receiving a report may request the local child welfare agency to provide assistance. A board or other entity whose licensees 

perform work within a school facility, upon receiving a complaint of alleged maltreatment, shall provide information about the 

circumstances of the alleged maltreatment to the Commissioner of Education. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Stat. § 626.556, Subd. 3 

A report is required when a reporter knows or has reason to believe that a child is being neglected or sexually or physically abused, 

or has been neglected or physically or sexually abused within the preceding 3 years. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Stat. § 626.556, Subd. 3 & 8

A member of the clergy is not required by this subdivision to report information that is otherwise privileged under § 595.02, 

subdivision 1, paragraph (c). 

No evidence relating to the neglect or abuse of a child, or to any prior incidents of neglect or abuse involving any of the same 

persons accused of neglect or abuse, shall be excluded in any proceeding on the grounds of privilege set forth in § 595.02, 

subdivision 1, paragraph (a) [husband-wife], (d) [medical practitioner-patient], or (g) [mental health professional-client]. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Stat. § 626.556, Subd. 7

The written report from a mandatory reporter must include the name and address of the reporter. 
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Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Stat. § 626.556, Subd. 11

The name of the reporter shall be kept confidential while the report is under investigation. After the investigation is complete, the 

subject of the report may compel disclosure of the name only upon the reporter’s consent or a finding by the court that the report 

was false and made in bad faith. 

Mississippi 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code § 43-21-353

The following professionals are required to report: 

• Physicians, dentists, interns, residents, or nurses 

• Public or private school employees or child care givers 

• Psychologists, social workers, family protection workers, or family protection specialists

• Attorneys, ministers, or law enforcement officers

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code § 43-21-353

All other persons who have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or neglected must report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code § 43-21-353

A report is required when a person has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or neglected. 

Privileged Communications

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Code § 43-21-353

The department’s report shall include the name and address of all witnesses, including the reporter if he or she is a material witness 

to the abuse. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Code § 43-21-353

The identity of the reporting party shall not be disclosed to anyone other than law enforcement officers or prosecutors without an 

order from the appropriate youth court. The identity of the reporter shall not be disclosed to an individual under investigation. 
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Missouri 

Professionals Required to Report

Rev. Stat. §§ 210.115; 352.400; 568.110

Professionals required to report include:

• Physicians, medical examiners, coroners, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, podiatrists, residents, interns, nurses, hospital 

and clinic personnel, or other health practitioners 

• Daycare center workers or other child care workers, teachers, principals, or other school officials 

• Psychologists, mental health professionals, or social workers 

• Ministers, including clergypersons, priests, rabbis, Christian Science practitioners, or other persons serving in a similar 

capacity for any religious organization 

• Juvenile officers, probation or parole officers, peace officers, law enforcement officials, or jail or detention center personnel

• Other persons with responsibility for the care of children 

• Commercial film and photographic print processors; computer providers, installers, or repair persons; or Internet service 

providers 

Reporting by Other Persons

Rev. Stat. § 210.115

Any other person who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Rev. Stat. § 210.115

If two or more members of a medical institution who are required to report jointly have knowledge of a known or suspected instance 

of child abuse or neglect, a single report may be made by a designated member of that medical team. Any member who has 

knowledge that the member designated to report has failed to do so shall thereafter immediately make the report. Nothing in this 

section, however, is meant to preclude any person from reporting abuse or neglect.

The reporting requirements under this section are individual, and no supervisor or administrator may impede or inhibit any reporting 

under this section. No person making a report shall be subject to any sanction, including any adverse employment action, for 

making such report. Every employer shall ensure that any employee required to report has immediate and unrestricted access to the 

communications technology necessary to make an immediate report and is temporarily relieved of other work duties for such time as 

is required to make any report required by this section. 

Standards for Making a Report

Rev. Stat. §§ 210.115; 568.110

A report is required when:

• A reporter has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect. 

• A reporter observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect. 

• A commercial film and photographic print processor has knowledge of or observes any film, photograph, videotape, negative, 

slide, or computer-generated image or picture depicting a child engaged in an act of sexual conduct. 

Privileged Communications

Rev. Stat. § 210.140

Only the attorney-client or clergy-penitent privilege may be grounds for failure to report. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Rev. Stat. § 210.130

The report must include the name, address, occupation, and contact information for the person making the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Rev. Stat. § 210.150

The names or other identifying information of reporters shall not be furnished to any child, parent, guardian, or alleged perpetrator 

named in the report. 
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Montana 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code § 41-3-201

Professionals required to report include:

• Physicians, residents, interns, members of hospital staffs, nurses, osteopaths, chiropractors, podiatrists, medical examiners, 

coroners, dentists, optometrists, or any other health professionals 

• Teachers, school officials, or school employees who work during regular school hours 

• Operators or employees of any registered or licensed daycare or substitute care facility, or operators or employees of child 

care facilities 

• Mental health professionals or social workers 

• Religious healers 

• Foster care, residential, or institutional workers 

• Members of the clergy

• Guardians ad litem or court-appointed advocates authorized to investigate a report 

• Peace officers or other law enforcement officials

The term ‘clergy’ means: 

• An ordained minister, priest, or rabbi

• A commissioned or licensed minister of a church or church denomination that ordains ministers if the person has the authority 

to perform substantially all the religious duties of the church or denomination

• A member of a religious order who has taken a vow of poverty

• A Christian Science practitioner

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code § 41-3-201

Any other person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or neglected may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code § 41-3-201

A report is required when:

• A reporter knows or has reasonable cause to suspect, as a result of information received in his or her professional or official 

capacity, that a child is abused or neglected. 

• A health-care professional involved in the delivery or care of an infant knows that the infant is affected by a dangerous drug. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Code § 41-3-201

A person listed as a mandated reporter may not refuse to make a report as required in this section on the grounds of a physicianpatient or similar privilege. 

A member of the clergy or a priest is not required to make a report under this section if the communication is required to be 

confidential by canon law, church doctrine, or established church practice.

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Code § 41-3-205

The identity of the reporter shall not be disclosed in any release of information to the subject of the report. 
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Nebraska 

Professionals Required to Report

Rev. Stat. § 28-711

Professionals required to report include:

• Physicians, medical institutions, or nurses 

• School employees

• Social workers

• The Inspector General appointed under § 43-4317 

The office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare is created within the office of Public Counsel for the purpose of 

conducting investigations, audits, inspections, and other reviews of the Nebraska child welfare system. The Inspector General shall 

be appointed by the Public Counsel with approval from the chairperson of the Executive Board of the Legislative Council and the 

chairperson of the Health and Human Services Committee of the Legislature.

Reporting by Other Persons

Rev. Stat. § 28-711

All other persons who have reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect must report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Rev. Stat. § 28-711

A report is required when:

• A reporter has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect. 

• A reporter observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that reasonably would result in abuse or neglect. 

Privileged Communications

Rev. Stat. § 28-714

The physician-patient, counselor-client, and husband-wife privileges shall not be grounds for failing to report. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Rev. Stat. § 28-711

The initial oral report shall include the reporter’s name and address. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Rev. Stat. § 28-719

The name and address of the reporter shall not be included in any release of information. 
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Nevada 

Professionals Required to Report

Rev. Stat. § 432B.220

Mandatory reporters include:

• Persons providing services licensed or certified in this State pursuant to, without limitation, hospitals, physicians and other 

medical personnel, psychologists, therapists, social workers, and counselors, as described in chapters 450B, 630, 630A, 631, 

632, 633, 634, 634A, 635, 636, 637, 637A, 637B, 639, 640, 640A, 640B, 640C, 640D, 640E, 641, 641A, 641B, and 641C

• Any personnel of a licensed medical facility engaged in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of persons or an 

administrator, manager, or other person in charge of the medical facility upon notification of suspected abuse or neglect of a 

child by a member of the staff of the medical facility

• Coroners

• Members of the clergy, Christian Science practitioners, or religious healers

• Persons working in schools

• Persons who maintain or are employed by facilities that provide care for children, children’s camps, or other public or private 

facilities, institutions, or agencies furnishing care to children

• Persons licensed to conduct foster homes

• Officers or employees of law enforcement agencies or adult or juvenile probation officers

• Except as otherwise provided below, attorneys

• Person who maintain, are employed by, or serve as volunteers for agencies or services that advise persons regarding abuse or 

neglect of a child and refer them to persons and agencies where their requests and needs can be met

• Persons who are employed by or serve as volunteers for a youth shelter

• Any adult person who is employed by an entity that provides organized activities for children

Reporting by Other Persons

Rev. Stat. § 432B.220

Any other person may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Rev. Stat. § 432B.220

A report is required when:

• A reporter, in his or her professional capacity, knows or has reason to believe that a child is abused or neglected.

• A reporter has reasonable cause to believe that a child has died as a result of abuse or neglect.

• A medical services provider who delivers or provides medical services to a newborn infant, in his or her professional or 

occupational capacity, knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the newborn infant has been affected by prenatal illegal 

substance abuse or has withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure.
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Privileged Communications

Rev. Stat. §§ 432B.220; § 1.7 of 2013 Nev. Act 253; 432B.250

The clergy-penitent privilege applies when the knowledge is gained during religious confession. 

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 432B.220, an attorney shall not make a report of the abuse or neglect of a child if the attorney 

acquired knowledge of the abuse or neglect from a client during a privileged communication if the client:

• Has been or may be accused of committing the abuse or neglect

• Is the victim of the abuse or neglect, is in foster care, and did not give consent to the attorney to report the abuse or neglect

Nothing in this section shall be construed as relieving an attorney from:

• The duty to report the abuse or neglect of a child, except as otherwise provided above

• Complying with any ethical duties of attorneys, including, without limitation, any duty to take reasonably necessary actions 

to protect his or her client if the client is not capable of making adequately considered decisions because of age, mental 

impairment, or any other reason

Any other person who is required to report may not invoke privilege for failure to make a report. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Rev. Stat. § 432B.290

Except as otherwise provided below, before releasing any information maintained by an agency that provides child welfare 

services, the agency shall take whatever precautions it determines are reasonably necessary to protect the identity and safety of 

any person who reports child abuse or neglect and to protect any other person if the agency reasonably believes that disclosure of 

the information would cause a specific and material harm to an investigation of the alleged abuse or neglect of a child or the life or 

safety of any person. 

A person who is the subject of an unsubstantiated report of child abuse or neglect who believes that the report was made in 

bad faith or with malicious intent may petition a district court to order the agency that provides child welfare services to release 

information maintained by the agency. If the court finds that there is a reasonable cause to believe that the report was made in 

bad faith or with malicious intent and that the disclosure of the identity of the person who made the report would not be likely to 

endanger the life or safety of the person who made the report, the court shall provide a copy of the information to the petitioner. 
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New Hampshire 

Professionals Required to Report

Rev. Stat. § 169-C:29

The following professionals are required to report: 

• Physicians, surgeons, county medical examiners, psychiatrists, residents, interns, dentists, osteopaths, optometrists, 

chiropractors, nurses, hospital personnel, or Christian Science practitioners 

• Teachers, school officials, nurses, or counselors 

• Daycare workers or any other child or foster care workers 

• Social workers 

• Psychologists or therapists 

• Priests, ministers, or rabbis 

• Law enforcement officials 

Reporting by Other Persons

Rev. Stat. § 169-C:29

All other persons who have reason to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected must report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Rev. Stat. § 169-C:29

A report is required when a person has reason to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected. 

Privileged Communications

Rev. Stat. § 169-C:32

Only the attorney-client privilege is permitted. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

New Jersey 

Professionals Required to Report

No professional groups are specified in statute; all persons are required to report. 

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Stat. § 9:6-8.10

Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to child abuse, neglect, or acts of child abuse shall 

report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Stat. § 9:6-8.10

A report is required when a person has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect. 

Privileged Communications

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 
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Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report.

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Stat. § 9:6-8.10a

The identity of the reporter shall not be made public. Any information that could endanger any person shall not be released. 

New Mexico 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Stat. § 32A-4-3

Professionals required to report include:

• Physicians, residents, or interns 

• Law enforcement officers or judges 

• Nurses 

• Teachers or school officials 

• Social workers 

• Members of the clergy 

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Stat. § 32A-4-3

Every person who knows or has a reasonable suspicion that a child is an abused or a neglected child shall report the matter 

immediately. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Stat. § 32A-4-3

A report is required when a person knows or has a reasonable suspicion that a child is abused or neglected. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Stat. §§ 32A-4-3; 32A-4-5

A clergy member need not report any information that is privileged.

The report or its contents or any other facts related thereto or to the condition of the child who is the subject of the report shall not 

be excluded on the ground that the matter is or may be the subject of a physician-patient privilege or similar privilege or rule against 

disclosure. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Stat. § 32A-4-5

The identity of the mandated reporter will be verified before any investigation is initiated. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Stat. § 32A-4-33

Any release of information to a parent, guardian, or legal custodian shall not include identifying information about the reporter. 
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New York 

Professionals Required to Report

Soc. Serv. Law § 413

The following persons and officials are required to report:

• Physicians, physician assistants, surgeons, medical examiners, coroners, dentists, dental hygienists, osteopaths, optometrists, 

chiropractors, podiatrists, residents, interns, psychologists, registered nurses, social workers, or emergency medical 

technicians

• Licensed creative arts therapists, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, or psychoanalysts

• Hospital personnel or Christian Science practitioners

• School officials, including but not limited to, teachers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, 

school nurses, or administrators 

• Social services workers, daycare center workers, providers of family or group family daycare, or any other child care or foster 

care worker

• Directors of children’s overnight camps, summer day camps, or traveling summer day camps

• Mental health professionals, substance abuse counselors, alcoholism counselors, or all persons credentialed by the Office of 

Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

• Peace officers, police officers, district attorneys or assistant district attorneys, investigators employed in the office of a district 

attorney, or other law enforcement officials

Reporting by Other Persons

Soc. Serv. Law § 414

Any other person who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or maltreated may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Soc. Serv. Law § 413

Whenever a person is required to report in his or her capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private 

institution, school, facility, or agency, he or she shall make the report as required and immediately notify the person in charge of such 

institution, school, facility, or agency, or his or her designated agent. The person in charge, or the designated agent of such person, 

shall be responsible for all subsequent administration necessitated by the report. Any report shall include the name, title, and 

contact information for every staff person of the institution who is believed to have direct knowledge of the allegations in the report. 

Nothing in this section or title is intended to require more than one report from any such institution, school, or agency.

A medical or other public or private institution, school, facility, or agency shall not take any retaliatory personnel action against an 

employee because such employee believes that he or she has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is an abused or maltreated 

child and that employee therefore makes a report in accordance with this title. No school, school official, child care provider, foster 

care provider, residential care facility provider, hospital, medical institution provider, or mental health facility provider shall impose 

any conditions, including prior approval or prior notification, upon a member of their staff specifically required to report under this 

title. 

Standards for Making a Report

Soc. Serv. Law § 413

A report is required when the reporter has reasonable cause to suspect:

• A child coming before him or her in his or her professional or official capacity is an abused or maltreated child. 

• The parent, guardian, custodian, or other person legally responsible for the child comes before the reporter and states from 

personal knowledge facts, conditions, or circumstances that, if correct, would render the child an abused or maltreated child. 

Privileged Communications

Soc. Serv. Law § 415

Notwithstanding the privileges set forth in article 45 of the civil practice law and rules, and any other provision of law to the contrary, 

mandated reporters who make a report that initiates an investigation of an allegation of child abuse or maltreatment are required to 

comply with all requests for records made by a child protective service relating to the report. 
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Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Soc. Serv. Law § 415

The report shall include the name and contact information for the reporter. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Soc. Serv. Law § 422-a

Any disclosure of information shall not identify the source of the report. 

North Carolina 

Professionals Required to Report

Gen. Stat. § 7B-301

Any person or institution that has cause to suspect abuse or neglect shall report. 

Reporting by Other Persons

Gen. Stat. § 7B-301

All persons who have cause to suspect that any juvenile is abused, neglected, or dependent, or has died as the result of 

maltreatment, shall report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Gen. Stat. § 7B-301

A report is required when a reporter has cause to suspect that any juvenile is abused, neglected, or dependent, or has died as the 

result of maltreatment.

Privileged Communications

Gen. Stat. § 7B-310

No privilege shall be grounds for failing to report, even if the knowledge or suspicion is acquired in an official professional capacity, 

except when the knowledge or suspicion is gained by an attorney from that attorney’s client during representation only in the abuse, 

neglect, or dependency case. No privilege, except the attorney-client privilege, shall be grounds for excluding evidence of abuse, 

neglect, or dependency. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Gen. Stat. § 7B-301

The report must include the name, address, and telephone number of the reporter. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Gen. Stat. § 7B-302

The Department of Social Services shall hold the identity of the reporter in strictest confidence, except the department shall disclose 

confidential information regarding the identity of the reporter to any Federal, State, or local government entity or its agent with a 

court order. The department may only disclose confidential information regarding the identity of the reporter to a Federal, State, or 

local government entity or its agent without a court order when the entity demonstrates a need for the reporter’s name to carry out 

the entity’s mandated responsibilities. 
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North Dakota 

Professionals Required to Report

Cent. Code § 50-25.1-03

The following professionals are required to report:

• Physicians, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, medical examiners or coroners, or any other medical or mental 

health professionals

• Religious practitioners of the healing arts

• Schoolteachers, administrators, or school counselors 

• Addiction counselors, social workers, child care workers, or foster parents

• Police or law enforcement officers, juvenile court personnel, probation officers, division of juvenile services employees

• Members of the clergy 

Reporting by Other Persons

Cent. Code § 50-25.1-03

Any other person who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or neglected may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Cent. Code §§ 50-25.1-04; 50-25.1-09.1

Reports involving known or suspected institutional child abuse or neglect must be made and received in the same manner as all 

other reports made under this chapter.

An employer is prohibited from retaliating against an employee solely because the employee in good faith reported having 

reasonable cause to suspect that a child was abused or neglected, or died as a result of abuse or neglect, or because the employee 

is a child with respect to whom a report was made.

There is a rebuttable presumption that any adverse action within 90 days of a report is retaliatory. For purposes of this subsection, an 

‘adverse action’ is action taken by an employer against the person making the report or the child with respect to whom a report was 

made, including:

• Discharge, suspension, termination, or transfer from any facility, institution, school, agency, or other place of employment

• Discharge from or termination of employment

• Demotion or reduction in remuneration for services

• Restriction or prohibition of access to any facility, institution, school, agency, or other place of employment or persons 

affiliated with it

Standards for Making a Report

Cent. Code § 50-25.1-03

A report is required when a reporter has knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or neglected if the 

knowledge or suspicion is derived from information received by that person in that person’s official or professional capacity.

A person who has knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or neglected based on images of sexual 

conduct by a child discovered on a workplace computer shall report the circumstances to the department. 

Privileged Communications

Cent. Code §§ 50-25.1-03; 50-25.1-10

A member of the clergy is not required to report such circumstances if the knowledge or suspicion is derived from information 

received in the capacity of spiritual adviser. 

Any privilege of communication between husband and wife or between any professional person and the person’s patient or client, 

except between attorney and client, cannot be used as grounds for failing to report. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 
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Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Cent. Code § 50-25.1-11

All reports are confidential and must be made available to a parent, the child’s guardian, and any person who is the subject of a 

report; provided, however, that the identity of persons reporting or supplying information is protected. 

Northern Mariana Islands 

Professionals Required to Report

Commonwealth Code Tit. 6, § 5313

Reports are required from the following:

• Any health-care worker, including anesthesiologists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, dentists, health aides, hypnotists, massage 

therapists, mental health counselors, midwives, nurses, nurse practitioners, osteopaths, naturopaths, physical therapists, 

physicians, physician’s assistants, psychiatrists, psychologists, radiologists, religious healing practitioners, surgeons, or x-ray 

technicians 

• Teachers or other school officials 

• Daycare providers, nannies, au pair workers, or any other person who is entrusted with the temporary care of a minor child in 

return for compensation, except babysitters who are themselves minor children 

• Counselors or social workers 

• Peace officers or other law enforcement officials 

Reporting by Other Persons

Commonwealth Code Tit. 6, § 5313

Any other person may at any time report known or suspected instances of child abuse or neglect. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Commonwealth Code Tit. 6, § 5313

A report is required when a mandated reporter comes into contact in a professional capacity with a child who the person knows or 

has reasonable cause to suspect is abused or neglected. 

Privileged Communications

Commonwealth Code Tit. 6, § 5316

Only the attorney-client privilege is permitted. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Commonwealth Code Tit. 6, § 5325

The release of the identity of the reporter is prohibited. 
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Ohio 

Professionals Required to Report

Rev. Code § 2151.421

Mandatory reporters include:

• Attorneys

• Physicians, interns, residents, dentists, podiatrists, nurses, or other health-care professionals

• Licensed psychologists, school psychologists, or marriage and family therapists

• Speech pathologists or audiologists

• Coroners 

• Administrators or employees of child daycare centers, residential camps, child day camps, certified child care agencies, or 

other public or private children services agencies

• Teachers, school employees, or school authorities

• Persons engaged in social work or the practice of professional counseling

• Agents of county humane societies

• Persons, other than clerics, rendering spiritual treatment through prayer in accordance with the tenets of a well-recognized 

religion 

• Superintendents, board members, or employees of county boards of developmental disabilities; investigative agents 

contracted with by a county board of developmental disabilities; employees of the Department of Developmental Disabilities; 

employees of a facility or home that provides respite care; employees of a home health agency; employees of an entity that 

provides homemaker services

• Persons performing the duties of an assessor or third party employed by a public children’s services agency to assist in 

providing child- or family-related services

Reporting by Other Persons

Rev. Code § 2151.421

Any other person who suspects that a child has suffered or faces a threat of suffering from abuse or neglect may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Rev. Code § 2151.421

A report is required when a mandated person is acting in an official or professional capacity and knows or suspects that a child 

has suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical or mental wound, injury, disability, or condition of a nature that reasonably 

indicates abuse or neglect of the child. 

Privileged Communications

Rev. Code § 2151.421

An attorney, physician, or cleric is not required to make a report concerning any communication the attorney, physician, or cleric 

receives from a client, patient, or penitent in a professional relationship, if, in accordance with § 2317.02, the attorney, physician, or 

cleric could not testify with respect to that communication in a civil or criminal proceeding.

The client, patient, or penitent in the relationship is deemed to have waived any testimonial privilege with respect to any 

communication the attorney, physician, or cleric receives, and the attorney, physician, or cleric shall make a report with respect to 

that communication if all of the following apply:

• The client, patient, or penitent, at the time of the communication, is either a child under age 18 or a mentally retarded, 

developmentally disabled, or physically impaired person under age 21.

• The attorney, physician, or cleric knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect based on facts that would cause a reasonable 

person in similar position to suspect, as a result of the communication or any observations made during that communication, 

that the client, patient, or penitent has suffered or faces a threat of suffering any physical or mental wound, injury, disability, or 

condition of a nature that reasonably indicates abuse or neglect of the person.

• The abuse or neglect does not arise out of the person’s attempt to have an abortion without the notification of her parents, 

guardian, or custodian in accordance with § 2151.85.
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Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Rev. Code § 2151.421

The reporter is not required to provide his or her name in the report, but if he or she wants to receive information on the outcome of 

the investigation, he or she must provide his or her name, address, and telephone number to the person who receives the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Rev. Code § 2151.421

The information provided in a report made pursuant to this section and the name of the person who made the report shall not be 

released for use and shall not be used as evidence in any civil action or proceeding brought against the person who made the report. 

Oklahoma 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Stat. Tit. 10A, § 1-2-101; Tit. 21, § 1021.4 

Mandatory reporters include:

• All persons 

• Commercial film and photographic print processors or computer technicians 

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Stat. Tit. 10A, § 1-2-101

Every person who has reason to believe that a child is a victim of abuse or neglect must report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Stat. Tit. 10A, § 1-2-101

The reporting obligations under this section are individual, and no employer, supervisor, or administrator shall interfere with the 

reporting obligations of any employee or other person or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against the employee or other 

person who in good faith reports suspected child abuse or neglect, or who provides testimony in any proceeding involving child 

abuse or neglect. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Stat. Tit. 10A, § 1-2-101; Tit. 21, § 1021.4

A report is required when:

• Any person has reason to believe that a child under age 18 is a victim of abuse or neglect. 

• A physician, surgeon, or other health-care professional, including doctors of medicine, licensed osteopathic physicians, 

residents, and interns, attends the birth of a child who tests positive for alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance.

• A commercial film and photographic print processor or computer technician has knowledge of or observes any film, 

photograph, videotape, negative, or slide depicting a child engaged in an act of sexual conduct. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Stat. Tit. 10A, § 1-2-101

No privilege shall relieve any person from the requirement to report. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 
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Oregon 

Professionals Required to Report

Rev. Stat. §§ 419B.005; 419B.010

A public or private official is mandated to report. Public or private officials include: 

• Physicians, physician assistants, naturopathic physicians, interns, residents, optometrists, chiropractors, dentists, nurses, nurse 

practitioners, pharmacists, nurse’s aides, home health aides, or employees of in-home health services

• School employees, including employees of higher education institutions (such as community colleges and public and private 

universities)

• Employees of the Department of Human Services, Oregon Health Authority, Early Learning Division, Youth Development 

Council, Office of Child Care, the Oregon Youth Authority, a county health department, a community mental health program, 

a community developmental disabilities program, a county juvenile department, a licensed child-caring agency, or an alcohol 

and drug treatment program

• Peace officers

• Members of the clergy

• Psychologists, social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists

• Certified foster care or child care providers

• Attorneys or court-appointed special advocates 

• Firefighters or emergency medical technicians

• Members of the Legislative Assembly

• Physical, speech, or occupational therapists

• Audiologists or speech-language pathologists

• Employees of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission directly involved in investigations or discipline by the 

commission

• Operators of preschool or school-age recorded programs

• Employees or a private agency or organization facilitating the provision of respite services for parents pursuant to a properly 

executed power of attorney

• Employees of organizations providing child-related services or activities, including youth groups or centers, scout groups or 

camps, or summer or day camps

• Coaches, assistant coaches, or trainers of athletes, if compensated and if the athlete is a child

Reporting by Other Persons

Rev. Stat. § 419B.015

Any person may voluntarily make a report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Rev. Stat. § 419B.010

The duty to report under this section is personal to the public or private official alone, regardless of whether the official is employed 

by, a volunteer of, or a representative or agent for any type of entity or organization that employs persons or uses persons as 

volunteers who are public or private officials in its operations.

The duty to report under this section exists regardless of whether the entity or organization that employs the public or private official 

or uses the official as a volunteer has its own procedures or policies for reporting abuse internally within the entity or organization. 
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Standards for Making a Report

Rev. Stat. § 419B.010

A report is required when any public or private official has reasonable cause to believe that any child with whom the official comes in 

contact has suffered abuse.

The duty to report under this section is personal to the public or private official alone, regardless of whether the official is employed 

by, a volunteer of, or a representative or agent for any type of entity or organization that employs persons or uses persons as 

volunteers who are public or private officials in its operations.

The duty to report under this section exists regardless of whether the entity or organization that employs the public or private official 

or uses the official as a volunteer has its own procedures or policies for reporting abuse internally within the entity or organization. 

Privileged Communications

Rev. Stat. § 419B.010

A psychiatrist, psychologist, member of the clergy, or attorney shall not be required to report if such communication is privileged 

under law. An attorney is not required to make a report of information communicated to the attorney in the course of representing a 

client if disclosure of the information would be detrimental to the client. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Rev. Stat. § 419B.015

The name, address, and other identifying information about the person who made the report may not be disclosed. 

Pennsylvania 

Professionals Required to Report

Cons. Stat. Tit. 23, § 6311

Persons required to report include, but are not limited to: 

• Licensed physicians, osteopaths, medical examiners, coroners, funeral directors, dentists, optometrists, chiropractors, 

podiatrists, interns, nurses, or hospital personnel

• Christian Science practitioners or members of the clergy

• School administrators, teachers, school nurses, social services workers, daycare center workers, or any other child care or 

foster care workers

• Mental health professionals

• Peace officers or law enforcement officials

Reporting by Other Persons

Cons. Stat. Tit. 23, § 6312

Any person who has reason to suspect that a child is abused or neglected may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Cons. Stat. Tit. 23, § 6311

Whenever a person is required to report in his or her capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private 

institution, school, facility, or agency, that person shall immediately notify the person in charge of the institution, school, facility, or 

agency or the designated agent of the person in charge. Upon notification, the person in charge or the designated agent, if any, 

shall assume the responsibility and have the legal obligation to report or cause a report to be made in accordance with § 6313. This 

chapter does not require more than one report from any such institution, school, facility, or agency. 
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Standards for Making a Report

Cons. Stat. Tit. 23, § 6311

A report is required when a person who comes into contact with children in the course of employment, occupation, or practice of a 

profession has reasonable cause to suspect, on the basis of medical, professional, or other training and experience, that a child is a 

victim of child abuse. 

Privileged Communications

Cons. Stat. Tit. 23, § 6311

Except with respect to confidential communications made to a member of the clergy that are protected under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5943 

(relating to confidential communications to clergymen), and except with respect to confidential communications made to an 

attorney that are protected by 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5916 or 5928 (relating to confidential communications to an attorney), the privileged 

communication between any professional person required to report and the patient or client of that person shall not apply to 

situations involving child abuse and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report as required by this chapter. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Cons. Stat. Tit. 23, § 6313

Mandated reporters must make a written report that includes their name and contact information. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Cons. Stat. Tit. 23, § 6340

The release of the identity of the mandated reporter is prohibited unless the secretary finds that the release will not be detrimental 

to the safety of the reporter. 

Puerto Rico 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 446

The following individuals and entities are required to report: 

• Professionals or public officials

• Public, private, and privatized entities

• Professionals in the fields of health, justice, education, social work, or public order

• Persons who administer or work in caregiving institutions or centers, rehabilitation institutions, centers for minors, or foster 

homes

• Processors of film or photographs

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 446

Any person who has knowledge of or suspects that a minor is a victim of abuse or neglect must report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 446

A report is required when:

• A person, in his or her professional capacity and in the performance of his or her functions, learns or comes to suspect that a 

minor is, has been, or is at risk of becoming a victim of abuse.

• A film processor has knowledge of or observes any motion picture, photograph, videotape, negative, or slide that depicts a 

minor involved in a sexual activity. 

Privileged Communications

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 
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Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 446

The identity of the person who made the report shall be kept in strict confidence. 

Rhode Island 

Professionals Required to Report

Gen. Laws § 40-11-6

Any physician or duly certified registered nurse practitioner is required to report. 

Reporting by Other Persons

Gen. Laws § 40-11-3(a)

Any person who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected must report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Gen. Laws §§ 40-11-3(a); 40-11-6

A report is required when:

• A person has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected. 

• A physician or nurse practitioner has cause to suspect that a child brought to them for treatment is an abused or neglected 

child, or he or she determines that a child under age 12 is suffering from any sexually transmitted disease. 

Privileged Communications

Gen. Laws § 40-11-11

The privileged quality of communication between husband and wife and any professional person and his or her patient or client, 

except that between attorney and client, shall not constitute grounds for failure to report. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 
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South Carolina 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code § 63-7-310

The following professionals are required to report: 

• Physicians, nurses, dentists, optometrists, medical examiners, or coroners 

• Employees of county medical examiner’s or coroner’s offices

• Any other medical, emergency medical services, mental health, or allied health professionals

• Members of the clergy, including Christian Science practitioners or religious healers

• School teachers, counselors, principals, assistant principals, or school attendance officers

• Social or public assistance workers, substance abuse treatment staff, or child care workers in a child care center or foster care 

facility

• Foster parents

• Police or law enforcement officers or juvenile justice workers

• Undertakers, funeral home directors, or employees of a funeral home

• Persons responsible for processing films or computer technicians

• Judges 

• Volunteer nonattorney guardians ad litem serving on behalf of the South Carolina Guardian Ad Litem Program or the Richland 

County Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code § 63-7-310

Except as provided above, a person, including, but not limited to, a volunteer nonattorney guardian ad litem serving on behalf of 

the South Carolina Guardian Ad Litem Program or the Richland County CASA, who has reason to believe that a child’s physical or 

mental health or welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse and neglect may report, and is encouraged to report, in 

accordance with this section. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code § 63-7-310

A report is required when a reporter, in his or her professional capacity, receives information that gives him or her reason to believe 

that a child has been or may be abused or neglected. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Code § 63-7-420

The privileged quality of communication between husband and wife and any professional person and his or her patient or client, 

except that between attorney and client or clergy member, including a Christian Science practitioner or religious healer, and 

penitent, does not constitute grounds for failure to report. However, a clergy member, including a Christian Science practitioner or 

religious healer, must report in accordance with this subarticle except when information is received from the alleged perpetrator of 

the abuse and neglect during a communication that is protected by the clergy and penitent privilege as provided for in § 19-11-90. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report.

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Code § 63-7-330

The identity of the person making a report pursuant to this section must be kept confidential by the agency or department receiving 

the report and must not be disclosed, except as specifically provided for in statute. 
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South Dakota 

Professionals Required to Report

Codified Laws § 26-8A-3

Mandatory reporters include:

• Physicians, dentists, osteopaths, chiropractors, optometrists, podiatrists, hospital interns or residents, nurses, or coroners 

• Teachers, school counselors or officials, or licensed or registered child welfare providers

• Mental health professionals or counselors, psychologists, social workers, chemical dependency counselors, employees or 

volunteers of domestic abuse shelters, or religious healing practitioners

• Employees or volunteers of child advocacy organizations or child welfare service providers 

• Parole or court services officers or law enforcement officers 

• Any safety-sensitive position (as defined in § 23-3-64), including any law enforcement officer authorized to carry firearms and 

any custody staff employed by any agency responsible for the rehabilitation or treatment of any adjudicated adult or juvenile 

Reporting by Other Persons

Codified Laws § 26-8A-3

Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child younger than age 18 has been abused or neglected may 

report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Codified Laws §§ 26-8A-6; 26-8A-7 

Any person who has contact with a child through the performance of services as a member of a staff of a hospital or similar institution 

shall immediately notify the person in charge of the institution or his designee of suspected abuse or neglect. The person in charge 

shall report the information in accordance with the provisions of § 26-8A-8.

Any person who has contact with a child through the performance of services in any public or private school, whether accredited or 

unaccredited, as a teacher, school nurse, school counselor, school official, or administrator, or any person providing services pursuant 

to § 13-27-3 shall notify the school principal or school superintendent or designee of suspected abuse or neglect. The school 

principal or superintendent shall report the information in accordance with the provisions of § 26-8A-8. Each school district shall have 

a written policy on reporting of child abuse and neglect. 

Standards for Making a Report

Codified Laws § 26-8A-3

A report is required when a reporter has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected. 

Privileged Communications

Codified Laws § 26-8A-15

The following privileges may not be claimed as a reason for not reporting: 

• Physician-patient 

• Husband-wife 

• School counselor-student 

• Social worker-client 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 
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Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Codified Laws § 26-8A-11.1

The name of the reporter is not disclosed unless: 

• The report is determined to be unsubstantiated. 

• Within 30 days, the subject of the report requests disclosure of the reporter’s identity. 

• A hearing is held to determine whether the report was made with malice and without reasonable foundation and that release 

of the name will not endanger the life or safety of the reporter. 

Tennessee 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code §§ 37-1-403; 37-1-605

Persons required to report include:

• Physicians, osteopaths, medical examiners, chiropractors, nurses, hospital personnel, or other health or mental health 

professionals

• Teachers, other school officials or personnel, daycare center workers

• Other professional child care, foster care, residential, or institutional workers 

• Social workers 

• Practitioners who rely solely on spiritual means for healing 

• Judges or law enforcement officers

• Neighbors, relatives, or friends

• Other persons 

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code §§ 37-1-403; 37-1-605

Any person who has knowledge that a child has been harmed by abuse or neglect must report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Code § 37-1-403

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any hospital, clinic, school, or other organization responsible for the care of 

children from developing a specific procedure for internally tracking, reporting, or otherwise monitoring a report made by a member 

of the organization’s staff, including requiring a member of the organization’s staff who makes a report to provide a copy of or notice 

concerning the report to the organization, so long as the procedure does not inhibit, interfere with, or otherwise affect the duty of a 

person to make a report as required by law. 

Nothing in this section shall prevent staff of a hospital or clinic from gathering sufficient information, as determined by the hospital or 

clinic, in order to make an appropriate medical diagnosis or to provide and document care that is medically indicated and is needed 

to determine whether to report an incident as defined in this part. Those activities shall not interfere with nor serve as a substitute 

for any investigation by law enforcement officials or the department. However, if any hospital, clinic, school, or other organization 

responsible for the care of children develops a procedure for internally tracking, reporting, or otherwise monitoring a report, the 

identity of the person who made a report of harm shall be kept confidential. 
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Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code §§ 37-1-403; 37-1-605

A report is required when:

• A person has knowledge that a child has been harmed by abuse or neglect.

• A person is called upon to render aid to any child who is suffering from an injury that reasonably appears to have been caused 

by abuse. 

• A person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been sexually abused.

• A physician diagnoses or treats any sexually transmitted disease in a child age 13 or younger or diagnoses pregnancy in an 

unemancipated minor.

Any school official, personnel, employee, or member of the board of education who is aware of a report or investigation of employee 

misconduct on the part of any employee of the school system that in any way involves known or alleged child abuse, including, 

but not limited to, child physical or sexual abuse or neglect, shall immediately upon knowledge of such information notify the 

Department of Children’s Services or law enforcement official of the abuse or alleged abuse. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Code § 37-1-411

The following privileges may not be claimed: 

• Husband-wife

• Psychiatrist-patient or psychologist-patient 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Code § 37-1-409

Except as may be ordered by the juvenile court, the name of any person reporting child abuse or neglect shall not be released to any 

person, other than employees of the department or other child protection team members responsible for child protective services, 

the abuse registry, or the appropriate district attorney general upon subpoena of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, without the 

written consent of the person reporting.

The reporter’s identity shall be irrelevant to any civil proceeding and shall, therefore, not be subject to disclosure by order of any 

court. This shall not prohibit the issuance of a subpoena to a person reporting child abuse when deemed necessary by the district 

attorney general or the department to protect a child who is the subject of a report, provided that the fact that the person made the 

report is not disclosed. 

Texas 

Professionals Required to Report

Fam. Code § 261.101

Persons required to report include professionals, for purposes of the reporting laws, who are licensed or certified by the State or who 

are an employees of facilities licensed, certified, or operated by the State and who, in the normal course of official duties or duties for 

which licensure or certification is required, have direct contact with children. Professionals include: 

• Teachers or daycare employees 

• Nurses, doctors, or employees of a clinic or health-care facility that provides reproductive services

• Juvenile probation officers or juvenile detention or correctional officers

Reporting by Other Persons

Fam. Code § 261.101

A person who has cause to believe that a child has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect shall immediately make a report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Fam. Code § 261.101

A professional may not delegate to or rely on another person to make the report. 
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Standards for Making a Report

Fam. Code § 261.101

A report is required when a person has cause to believe that a child has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect. 

In addition, a person or professional shall make a report if the person or professional has cause to believe that an adult was a victim 

of abuse or neglect as a child, and the person or professional determines in good faith that disclosure of the information is necessary 

to protect the health and safety of another child or an elderly or disabled person. 

Privileged Communications

Fam. Code §§ 261.101; 261.202

The requirement to report applies without exception to an individual whose personal communications may otherwise be privileged, 

including an attorney, a member of the clergy, a medical practitioner, a social worker, a mental health professional, an employee 

or member of a board that licenses or certifies a professional, and an employee of a clinic or health-care facility that provides 

reproductive services.

In a proceeding regarding the abuse or neglect of a child, evidence may not be excluded on the ground of privileged 

communication except in the case of communication between an attorney and client. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Fam. Code §§ 261.101; 261.201

Unless waived in writing by the person making the report, the identity of an individual making a report is confidential and may be 

disclosed only:

• As provided by § 261.201

• To a law enforcement officer for the purposes of conducting a criminal investigation of the report

A report of alleged or suspected abuse or neglect and the identity of the person making the report are confidential. A court may 

order the disclosure of such confidential information, if after a hearing and an in camera review of the requested information, the 

court determines that the disclosure is:

• Essential to the administration of justice

• Not likely to endanger the life or safety of a child who is the subject of the report, a person who made the report, or any other 

person who participates in an investigation of reported abuse or neglect or who provides care for the child

The Texas Youth Commission shall release a report of alleged or suspected abuse if the report relates to abuse or neglect involving a 

child committed to the commission. The commission shall edit any report disclosed under this section to protect the identity of: 

• A child who is the subject of the report

• The person who made the report 

• Any other person whose life or safety may be endangered by the disclosure

Utah 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code § 62A-4a-403

Any person licensed under the Medical Practice Act or the Nurse Practice Act is required to report. 

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code § 62A-4a-403

Any person who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect must report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 
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Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code § 62A-4a-403

A report is required when:

• A person has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect. 

• A person observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in sexual abuse, 

physical abuse, or neglect. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Code §§ 62A-4a-403; 62A-4a-412(5)

The requirement to report does not apply to a clergy member or priest without the consent of the person making the confession, 

with regard to any confession made to the clergy member or priest in his or her professional character in the course of discipline 

enjoined by the church.

The physician-patient privilege is not a ground for excluding evidence regarding a child’s injuries or the cause of those injuries in any 

proceeding resulting from a report made in good faith pursuant to this part. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Code § 62A-4a-412(3)(b)

The name and contact information of the reporter shall be deleted prior to any release of records to the subject of the report. 

Vermont 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Stat. Tit. 33, § 4913

The following professionals are required to report: 

• Physicians, surgeons, osteopaths, chiropractors, physician assistants, resident physicians or interns, hospital administrators, 

nurses, medical examiners, emergency medical personnel, dentists, psychologists, pharmacists, or other health-care providers 

• Child care workers

• School superintendents, headmasters of approved or recognized independent schools, school teachers, student teachers, 

school librarians, school principals, or school guidance counselors

• Other individuals who are employed by a school district or an approved or recognized independent school or are contracted 

and paid by a school district or an approved or recognized independent school to provide student services 

• Mental health professionals, social workers, or probation officers

• Employees, contractors, and grantees of the Agency of Human Services who have contact with clients

• Police officers

• Camp owners, camp administrators, or camp counselors 

• Members of the clergy

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Stat. Tit. 33, § 4913

Any other person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused or neglected may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Stat. Tit. 33, § 4913

An employer or supervisor shall not discharge; demote; transfer; reduce pay, benefits, or work privileges; prepare a negative work 

performance evaluation; or take any other action detrimental to any employee because that employee filed a good-faith report in 

accordance with the provisions of this subchapter. Any person making a report under this subchapter shall have a civil cause of action 

for appropriate compensatory and punitive damages against any person who causes detrimental changes in the employment status 

of the reporting party by reason of his or her making a report. 
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Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Stat. Tit. 33, § 4913

A report is required when a reporter has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused or neglected. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Stat. Tit. 33, § 4913

A person may not refuse to make a report required by this section on the grounds that making the report would violate a privilege or 

disclose a confidential communication, except that a member of the clergy is not required to report if the knowledge comes from a 

communication that is required to be kept confidential by religious doctrine. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Stat. Tit. 33, § 4914

Reports shall contain the name and address or other contact information of the reporter. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Stat. Tit. 33, § 4913

The name of and any identifying information about either the person making the report or any person mentioned in the report shall 

be confidential unless:

• The person making the report specifically allows disclosure.

• A Human Services Board proceeding or judicial proceeding results from the report. 

• A court, after a hearing, finds probable cause to believe that the report was not made in good faith and orders the 

department to make the name of the reporter available.

• A review has been requested pursuant to § 4916a of this title, and the department has determined that identifying information 

can be provided without compromising the safety of the reporter or the persons mentioned in the report.

Virgin Islands 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code Tit. 5, § 2533

The following professionals are required to report: 

• Physicians, hospital personnel, nurses, dentists, or any other medical or mental health professionals 

• Teachers or other school personnel, social service workers, daycare workers, or other child care or foster care workers 

• Peace officers or law enforcement officials 

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code Tit. 5, § 2533

Any other person who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected may report

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Code Tit. 5, § 2533 

Whenever any person is required to report in his or her capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private 

institution, school, facility, or agency, he or she shall immediately notify the person in charge of such institution, school, facility, or 

agency, or his or her designated agent, who then also shall become responsible to report or cause reports to be made. Nothing in 

this subchapter is intended to require more than one report from any such institution, school, or agency; but neither is it intended to 

prevent individuals from reporting on their own behalf. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code Tit. 5, § 2533

A report is required when:

• A reporter has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect. 

• A reporter observes the child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or 

neglect.
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Privileged Communications

Ann. Code Tit. 5, § 2538

The privileged quality of communications between husband and wife and between any professional person and his or her patient or 

client, except that between attorney and client, shall not constitute grounds for failure to report. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Code Tit. 5, § 2534

The report shall include the name, address, and occupation of the reporter. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Virginia 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code § 63.2-1509

The following professionals are required to report: 

• Persons licensed to practice medicine or any of the healing arts

• Hospital residents or interns, and nurses

• Social workers or probation officers

• Teachers or other employees at public or private schools, kindergartens, or nursery schools

• Persons providing full-time or part-time child care for pay on a regular basis

• Mental health professionals

• Law enforcement officers, animal control officers, or mediators 

• Professional staff employed by private or State-operated hospitals, institutions, or facilities to which children have been placed 

for care and treatment

• Persons age 18 or older associated with or employed by any public or private organization responsible for the care, custody, or 

control of children

• Court-appointed special advocates

• Persons age 18 or older who have received training approved by the Department of Social Services for the purposes of 

recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect

• Persons employed by a local department who determine eligibility for public assistance

• Emergency medical services providers, unless such providers immediately report the matter directly to the attending 

physician at the hospital to which the child is transported

• Persons employed by public or private institutions of higher education, other than an attorney who is employed by a public or 

private institution of higher education as it relates to information gained in the course of providing legal representation to a 

client

• Athletic coaches, directors, or other persons age 18 or older employed by or volunteering with private sports organizations or 

teams

• Administrators or employees age 18 or older of public or private day camps, youth centers, and youth recreation programs

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code § 63.2-1510

Any person who suspects that a child is abused or neglected may report. 
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Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Code § 63.2-1509

If the information is received by a teacher, staff member, resident, intern, or nurse in the course of professional services in a hospital, 

school, or similar institution, such person may, in place of making a report, immediately notify the person in charge of the institution 

or department, or his or her designee, who shall make the report forthwith. If the initial report of suspected abuse or neglect is 

made to the person in charge of the institution or department, or his or her designee, such person shall notify the teacher, staff 

member, resident, intern, or nurse who made the initial report when the report of suspected child abuse or neglect is made to the 

local department or to the toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline, and of the name of the individual receiving the report, and shall 

forward any communication resulting from the report, including any information about any actions taken regarding the report, to the 

person who made the initial report. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code § 63.2-1509

A report is required when, in his or her professional or official capacity, a reporter has reason to suspect that a child is abused or 

neglected. For purposes of this section, ‘reason to suspect that a child is abused or neglected’ shall include: 

• A finding made by a health-care provider within 6 weeks of the birth of a child that the results of toxicology studies of the child 

indicate the presence of a controlled substance not prescribed for the mother by a physician

• A finding made by a health-care provider within 6 weeks of the birth of a child that the child was born dependent on a 

controlled substance that was not prescribed by a physician for the mother and has demonstrated withdrawal symptoms

• A diagnosis made by a health-care provider at any time following a child’s birth that the child has an illness, disease, or 

condition that, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, is attributable to in utero exposure to a controlled substance that 

was not prescribed by a physician for the mother or the child

• A diagnosis made by a health-care provider at any time following a child’s birth that the child has a fetal alcohol spectrum 

disorder attributable to in utero exposure to alcohol

When ‘reason to suspect’ is based upon this subsection, that fact shall be included in the report along with the facts relied upon by 

the person making the report. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Code §§ 63.2-1509; 63.2-1519

The requirement to report shall not apply to any regular minister, priest, rabbi, imam, or duly accredited practitioner of any religious 

organization or denomination usually referred to as a church as it relates to information required by the doctrine of the religious 

organization or denomination to be kept in a confidential manner. 

The physician-patient or husband-wife privilege is not permitted. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Code § 63.2-1514

Any person who is the subject of an unfounded report who believes that the report was made in bad faith or with malicious intent 

may petition the court for the release of the records of the investigation or family assessment. If the court determines that there is a 

reasonable question of fact as to whether the report was made in bad faith or with malicious intent and that disclosure of the identity 

of the reporter would not be likely to endanger the life or safety of the reporter, it shall provide to the petitioner a copy of the records 

of the investigation or family assessment. 
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Washington 

Professionals Required to Report

Rev. Code § 26.44.030

The following persons are required to report:

• Practitioners, county coroners, or medical examiners

• Law enforcement officers

• Professional school personnel

• Registered or licensed nurses, social service counselors, psychologists, or pharmacists

• Employees of the Department of Early Learning

• Licensed or certified child care providers or their employees

• Employees of the Department of Social and Health Services

• Juvenile probation officers 

• Placement and liaison specialists, responsible living skills program staff, or HOPE center staff

• State family and children’s ombudsman or any volunteer in the ombudsman’s office

• Persons who supervise employees or volunteers who train, educate, coach, or counsel children or have regular unsupervised 

access to children 

• Department of Corrections personnel 

• Any adult with whom a child resides

• Guardians ad litem and court-appointed special advocates

The reporting requirement also applies to administrative and academic or athletic department employees, including student 

employees, of public and private institutions of higher education. 

Reporting by Other Persons

Rev. Code § 26.44.030

Any person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Standards for Making a Report

Rev. Code § 26.44.030

A report is required when:

• A reporter has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect.

• Any person, in his or her official supervisory capacity with a nonprofit or for-profit organization, has reasonable cause to 

believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect caused by a person over whom he or she regularly exercises supervisory 

authority.

• Department of Corrections personnel observe offenders or the children with whom the offenders are in contact, and as a 

result of these observations have reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect.

• Any adult has reasonable cause to believe that a child who resides with them has suffered severe abuse.
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Privileged Communications

Rev. Code §§ 26.44.030; 26.44.060

No one shall be required to report when he or she obtains the information solely as a result of a privileged communication.

Information considered privileged by statute and not directly related to reports required by this section must not be divulged 

without a valid written waiver of the privilege. 

Conduct conforming with reporting requirements shall not be deemed a violation of the confidential communication privilege of 

§§ 5.60.060 (3) and (4) [pertaining to clergy-penitent and physician-patient privilege], 18.53.200 [pertaining to optometrist-patient 

privilege], and 18.83.110 [pertaining to psychologist-client privilege]. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Rev. Code § 26.44.030

The department shall make reasonable efforts to learn the name, address, and telephone number of the reporter. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Rev. Code § 26.44.030

The department shall provide assurances of appropriate confidentiality of the identification of persons reporting under this section. 

West Virginia

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Code § 49-6A-2

The following professionals are required to report:

• Medical, dental, or mental health professionals

• Christian Science practitioners or religious healers 

• Teachers or other school personnel

• Social service, child care, or foster care workers

• Emergency medical services personnel

• Peace officers, law enforcement officials, or humane officers

• Members of the clergy

• Circuit court judges, family court judges, employees of the Division of Juvenile Services, or magistrates

• Youth camp administrators, counselors, employees, coaches, or volunteers of entities that provide organized activities for 

children

• Commercial film or photographic print processors

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Code § 49-6A-2

Any person over age 18 who receives a disclosure from a credible witness or observes any sexual abuse or sexual assault of a child 

shall immediately, and no more than 48 hours after receiving such a disclosure or observing the sexual abuse or sexual assault, report 

the circumstances or cause a report to be made to the Department of Health and Human Resources or the State Police or other law 

enforcement agency having jurisdiction to investigate the report. 

Any person who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or neglected may report.

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Code § 49-6A-2

Any person required to report who is a member of the staff or volunteer of a public or private institution, school, entity that provides 

organized activities for children, facility, or agency also shall immediately notify the person in charge of the institution, school, entity 

that provides organized activities for children, facility, or agency, or a designated agent thereof, who may supplement the report or 

cause an additional report to be made. 
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Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Code § 49-6A-2

A report is required when:

• A reporter has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or neglected. 

• A reporter observes a child being subjected to conditions that are likely to result in abuse or neglect.

• A reporter believes that a child has suffered serious physical abuse, sexual abuse, or sexual assault. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Code § 49-6A-7

The privileged quality of communications between husband and wife and between any professional person and his or her patient or 

client, except that between attorney and client, cannot be invoked in situations involving suspected or known child abuse or neglect. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

Wisconsin 

Professionals Required to Report

Ann. Stat. § 48.981

The following professionals are required to report: 

• Physicians, coroners, medical examiners, nurses, dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, acupuncturists, other medical or mental 

health professionals, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, dietitians, occupational therapists, speech-language 

pathologists, audiologists, or emergency medical technicians 

• Schoolteachers, administrators, or counselors

• School employees not otherwise specified above

• Child care workers in child care centers, group homes, or residential care centers, or child care providers 

• Alcohol or other drug abuse counselors, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, or members of the treatment 

staff employed by or working under contract with a county department or a residential care center for children and youth

• Social workers, public assistance workers, first responders, police or law enforcement officers, mediators, or court-appointed 

special advocates 

• Members of the clergy or a religious order, including brothers, ministers, monks, nuns, priests, rabbis, or sisters

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Stat. § 48.981

Any person, including an attorney, who has reason to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected or who has reason to 

believe that a child has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that abuse or neglect of the child will occur may report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Stat. § 48.981

No person making a report in good faith may be discharged from employment, disciplined, or otherwise discriminated against in 

regard to employment or threatened with any such treatment for so doing. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Stat. § 48.981

A report is required when:

• A reporter, in the course of his or her professional duties, has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or 

neglected. 

• A reporter, in the course of his or her professional duties, has reason to believe that a child has been threatened with abuse or 

neglect or that abuse or neglect will occur. 
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Privileged Communications

Ann. Stat. § 48.981

A member of the clergy is not required to report child abuse information that he or she receives solely through confidential 

communications made to him or her privately or in a confessional setting if he or she is authorized to hear or is accustomed to 

hearing such communications and, under the disciplines, tenets, or traditions of his or her religion, has a duty or is expected to keep 

those communications secret. Those disciplines, tenets, or traditions need not be in writing.

A person delegated care and custody of a child under § 48.979, including a court-appointed special advocate, is not required to 

report any suspected or threatened abuse or neglect of the child. Such a person who has reason to suspect that the child has been 

abused or neglected or who has reason to believe that the child has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that the abuse or 

neglect of the child will occur may report. 

Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

Ann. Stat. § 48.981

The identity of the reporter shall not be disclosed to the subject of the report. 

Wyoming 

Professionals Required to Report

No professional groups are specified in statute; all persons are required to report. 

Reporting by Other Persons

Ann. Stat. § 14-3-205

All persons must report. 

Institutional Responsibility to Report

Ann. Stat. § 14-3-205(b)

If a person reporting child abuse or neglect is a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, school, facility, 

or agency, he or she shall notify the person in charge or his or her designated agent as soon as possible, who is thereupon also 

responsible to make the report or cause the report to be made. Nothing in this subsection is intended to relieve individuals of their 

obligation to report on their own behalf, unless a report has already been made or will be made. 

Standards for Making a Report

Ann. Stat. § 14-3-205

A report is required when:

• A person knows or has reasonable cause to believe or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected. 

• A person observes any child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect. 

Privileged Communications

Ann. Stat. § 14-3-210

Evidence regarding a child in any judicial proceeding resulting from a report made pursuant to the reporting laws shall not be 

excluded on the ground it constitutes a privileged communication: 

• Between husband and wife

• Claimed under any provision of law other than § 1-12-101(a)(i) [regarding attorney-client or physician-patient privilege] and § 

1-12-101(a)(ii) [regarding privilege of a clergy member or priest as it relates to a confession made to him or her in his or her 

professional character if enjoined by the church to which he or she belongs

• Claimed pursuant to § 1-12-116 [regarding the confidential communication between a family violence and sexual assault 

advocate and victim]
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Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report

Ann. Stat. § 14-3-206

The report must include any available photographs, videos, and x-rays with the identification of the person who created the evidence 

and the date the evidence was created. 

Disclosure of Reporter Identity

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed. 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Administration for Children and Families

Administration on Children, Youth and Families

Children’s Bureau