A mandated reporter is someone who is legally required to report suspicions of child neglect or abuse to the authorities. How do you know if you’re a mandated reporter?
A mandated reporter’s designation can vary from state to state. In most instances, mandatory reporters are typically professionals who work closely or frequently with children.
The professions most commonly mandated to report are:
School Personnel
Employees and administrators of public schools, private schools, and post-secondary institutions, including:
- teachers
- teacher’s aides
- teacher’s assistants
- school employees
- administrative officers
- school administrators
- school counselors
- athletic coaches
- assistant coaches
- department of education employees
Childcare and Youth Program Personnel
Directors, administrators, employees, licensees, and personnel at:
- childcare institutions
- community childcare programs
- headstart programs
- daycare facilities
- day camps
- youth centers
- recreation programs
- youth organizations
Note: As of January 1st, 2022, under California Assembly Bill 506, administrators, employees, and regular volunteers of youth service organizations are required to complete child abuse and neglect reporting training.
Healthcare Professionals
All licensed health professionals and certain trainees and interns, including:
- physicians
- psychiatrists
- psychologists
- registered psychological assistants
- dentists
- dental hygienists
- podiatrists
- psychiatrists
- psychologists
- chiropractors
- licensed nurses
- optometrists
- certified EMTs
- paramedics
- coroners
- medical examiners
Mental Health and Social Workers
Mental health professionals, trainees, and interns, including:
- marriage and family therapists
- clinical social workers
- professional clinical counselors
- alcohol and drug counselors
Law Enforcement and Public Safety Professionals
Employees of any police department, county sheriff’s department, county probation department, social services department, or county welfare department, including:
- police officers
- peace officers
- firefighters
- district attorney investigators
- inspectors
- local child support agency caseworkers
- social workers
- probation officers
- parole officers
- employees of school district police or security departments
- animal control and human society officers
- social services workers and evaluators
Clergy
Members of clergy or similar functionaries of any church, temple, or recognized denomination, including:
- priests
- ministers
- rabbis
- religious practitioners
- custodians of records, such as secretaries and administrative workers
Miscellaneous Reporters
Many states also require the following professionals to report suspected abuse, including:
- commercial film and photographic print processors
- public assistance workers
- state and county public health employees who treat minors for VD
- compensated child visitation monitors
- employees or volunteers of Court Appointed Special Advocate programs
- certain custodial officers
- supportive services providers delivering services to children under the Welfare and Institutions code
Volunteers or Permissive Reporters
You don’t have to be any of the above professionals to report suspected child abuse or neglect. However, in many states, volunteers are able to report, and in some states, anyone who suspects child abuse has a legal reporting requirement. Reporters who don’t have a legal obligation to report are also known as “permissive reporters.”
We all have a duty to protect children from neglect and abuse. Mandated and permissive reporters who report their suspicions and concerns of abuse can help save the life of a child who desperately needs help.
What Are The Types of Mandated Reporters?
The mandated reporters listed above are commonly called to report suspected child abuse or neglect. However, they are not the only types of mandated reporters.
Most states have laws designating mandatory reporting of:
- Child abuse and neglect
- Elder or dependent adult abuse and neglect
- Intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence
All types of mandatory reporters are typically designated by profession, except for a handful of states where everyone is required to report suspected abuse or neglect. To better understand your mandated reporting duties, use the Mandated Reporter database to find out if you are a reporter of child abuse, elder abuse, or domestic violence in your state.
