Child Abuse And Neglect Reporting Law

Child Abuse Reporting: State Contact Information

Introduction

The mechanics of child abuse reporting is governed by state law. The following information is a general description of the reporting process. You should be familiar with the reporting laws of your specific state.

Definition

The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (Public Law 93-247) defines child abuse and neglect as the physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, negligent treatment, or maltreatment

• Of a child (a person under age 18, unless the state law in which the child resides specifies a younger age for cases not involving sexual abuse)
• By a person (including employees of a residential facility or any staff person providing out -of-home care) who is responsible for the welfare of the child
• Under circumstances which indicate that the child’s health and welfare is harmed or threatened

Who Reports

In most states, the following individuals are included as legally mandated reporters: teachers, law enforcement personnel, childcare custodians, and health practitioners. Each state has made its own determination as to who is a legally mandated reporter, and in some states, a volunteer is a mandated reporter.

To Whom Do You Report

Each state has preferred reporting procedures. Immediately after making a report of suspected child abuse, the regional CVPA shall also provide any such reports to the Safe Haven Department at the National Support & Training Center, if the suspected abuser is an AYSO volunteer.

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse

The following information is required when making the telephone report of suspected child abuse to the child protective agency:

• Name of the child.
• Present location of the child.
• Nature and extent of the injury.
• Any other information, including that which led the person to suspect child abuse, requested by the child protective agency.

Immunity For Good Faith Reporting

All persons who, acting in good faith, make a report, or otherwise provide information or assistance in connection with a report, investigation, or legal intervention pursuant to a report, shall be immune from civil and criminal liability arising out of such actions. Immunity shall not be accorded to persons acting in bad faith.

Anonymous Reporting

Mandated reporters are required to give their names. Non-mandated reporters may report anonymously. Child protective agencies are required to keep the mandated reporter’s name confidential, unless a court orders the information disclosed.

Liability

Legally mandated reporters can be criminally liable for failing to report suspected abuse. The penalty for this misdemeanor is up to six months in county jail, a fine of not more than $1,000 or both. Mandated reporters can also be civilly liable for failure to report.

Notification Regarding Abuse

You are not legally required to notify the parents that you are making a report; however, it is often beneficial to let the parents know you are reporting for benefit of a future relationship.

Child Abuse Reporting Agencies

ALABAMA
Call your county Department of Human Resources or local law enforcement.
Click here for county contact search portal:
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

ALASKA
(800) 478-4444
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

ARIZONA
(888) SOS-CHILD
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

ARKANSAS
(800) 482-5964 for reporting and parents under stress, 24 hrs
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

CALIFORNIA
Hotlines available for each county:
PDF
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

COLORADO
(720) 944-3000, 24 hours , or report to your county:
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

CONNECTICUT
(800) 842-2288 for reporting and parents under stress, 24 hrs
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

DELAWARE
(800) 464-4357 for reporting and parents under stress, 24 hours
Web Page
*Volunteers are mandated reporters

DISTRICT of COLUMBIA
(202) 671-SAFE
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

FLORIDA
(800) 962-2873
Web Page
*Volunteers are mandated reporters

GEORGIA
Call local child protection office:
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

HAWAII
(808) 832-5300, 24 hour hotline
PDF
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

IDAHO
(800)926-2588, 24 hours
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

ILLINOIS
(800) 252-2873, in state
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

INDIANA
(800) 800-5556 for reporting, 24 hours
PDF
Volunteers are mandated reporters

IOWA
(800) 362-2178
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

KANSAS
(800) 922-5330
PDF
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

KENTUCKY
(800) 752-6200
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

LOUISIANA
Contact local OCS office or emergency child protection hotline for your parish:
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

MAINE
(800) 452-1999, reporting and stress, 24 hours
Web Page
Volunteers may be mandated reports

MARYLAND
Contact local department of social services:
Web Page
*Volunteers are mandated reporters

MASSACHUSETTS
(800) 792-5200 - 24 hour hotline
Web Page Volunteers are not mandated reporters

MICHIGAN
(800) 942-4357
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

MINNESOTA
Contact your county social service agency:
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

MISSISSIPPI
(800) 222-8000, 24 hours
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

MISSOURI
(800) 392-3738, 24 hr
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

MONTANA
(866) 820-5437
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

NEBRASKA
(800) 652-1999
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

NEVADA
(800) 992-5757
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

NEW HAMPSHIRE
(800) 894-5533 or 911 after hours, weekends or holidays
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

NEW JERSEY
(877) NJ ABUSE
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

NEW MEXICO
(800) 797-3260
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

NEW YORK
(800) 342-3720
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

NORTH CAROLINA
Contact your local department of social services:
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

NORTH DAKOTA
Contact your local department of social services:
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

OHIO
Contact county Public Children Services Agency:
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

OKLAHOMA
(800) 522-3511, 24 hour hotline
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

OREGON
Contact local Child Welfare office:
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

PENNSYLVANIA
(800) 932-0313, reports and stress
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

PUERTO RICO
(800) 981-8333

RHODE ISLAND
(800) 742-4453, reports and Stress, in state
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

SOUTH CAROLINA
Contact local child welfare office:
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

SOUTH DAKOTA
Contact local child welfare office:
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

TENNESSEE
(877) 237-0004
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

TEXAS
(800) 252-5400, reports and stress, 24 hrs
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

UTAH
(800) 678-9399, in state, 24 hours
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters

VERMONT
(800) 649-5285, after business hours
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

VIRGINIA
(800) 552-7096
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

WASHINGTON
(800) 363-4276, reporting, 24 hours
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

WEST VIRGINIA
(800) 352-6513
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

WISCONSIN
Contact county department of social services:
Web Page
Volunteers are not mandated reporters

WYOMING
(800) 457-3659 in State, 24 hours
Web Page
Volunteers are mandated reporters