626.556 requiring school personnel to report suspected child neglect or physical or sexual abuse. B. It shall be a violation of this policy for any school personnel to fail to immediately report instances of child neglect, or physical or sexual abuse when the school personnel knows or has reason to believe a child is being neglected or physically or sexually abused or has been neglected or physically or sexually abused within the preceding three years. Neglect does not include spiritual means or prayer for treatment or care of disease where the person responsible for the child's care in good faith has selected such means for treatment or care of disease, except where the lack of medical care may cause imminent and serious danger to the child's health. Such acts include sexual penetration as well as sexual contact. Sexual abuse also includes any act involving a minor which constitutes a vio lation of Minnesota statutes prohibiting prostitution, or use of a minor in a sexual per form ance.
Sexual abuse includes threatened sexual abuse.
The written report shall identify the child, any person believed to be responsible for the abuse or neglect of the child if the person is known, the nature and extent of the abuse or neglect and the name and address of the reporter. C. A person mandated by Minnesota law and this policy to report who knows or has reason to believe that a child is neglected or physically or sexually abused, as defined by Minnesota law and this policy, or has been neglected or physically or sexually abused within the preceding three years, and fails to report is guilty of a misdemeanor, and such a failure to report may result in discipline. D. Submission of a good faith report under Minnesota law and this policy will not adversely affect the reporter's employment, or the child's access to school. E. Any person who knowingly or recklessly makes a false report under the provisions of applicable Minnesota law or this policy shall be liable in a civil suit for any actual damages suffered by the person or persons so reported and for any punitive damages set by the court or jury, and the reckless making of a false report may result in discipline. The court may also award attorney's fees.