Mandatory reporting guidelines can help mandated reporters understand their obligation to identify and report suspected abuse or neglect. However, these guidelines can vary from state to state and even by type of abuse, making it difficult for mandated reporters to comply with their responsibilities.
The Mandated Reporter database provides state-by-state reporting guidelines for mandated reporters so you can find the information you need to protect the vulnerable children, adults, and animals in your care.
Where to Find State-Specific Mandatory Reporting Guidelines
CAPTA, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, is a federal law that requires states to have mandatory reporting laws for child abuse and neglect. Under CAPTA, each state must have procedures in place to require certain individuals to report suspected or known child abuse and neglect.
However, CAPTA leaves the details of these procedures, including who is a mandatory reporter and where to make a report, up to each state to determine.
The result is separate definitions for who is a mandatory reporter in each state.
State-specific mandatory reporting guidelines also mean that there is no central authority to receive reports and no standard form, phone line, or procedure for making a report.
The Mandated Reporter database contains state-specific information to help reporters easily find resources specific to their state’s reporting requirements.
What You’ll Find in the Mandated Reporter Database
Mandated reporters can begin their search for resources and reporting standards by self-selecting from one of the four abuse types:
- Child abuse and neglect
- Elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect
- Domestic violence (intimate partner violence)
- Animal cruelty
From here, a mandated reporter can enter their state into the dropdown to receive state-specific information and resources. Here is what you will find.
Who is required to report?
Mandatory reporters vary from state to state. However, most mandated reporters interact with vulnerable populations as part of their profession.
Mandated reporters are often in a position to identify possible abuse, such as medical professionals and law enforcement officers who may encounter physical signs of abuse and counselors and therapists who may discover emotional signs or admissions of abuse.
Many mandated reporters are required to report multiple types of abuse, including child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse.
And many are required or permitted to cross-report when they suspect violence, cruelty, or abuse is affecting both human and animal victims.
The state-by-state databases at MandatedReporter.com will help you understand if you are a mandated reporter in your state and which abuse types you are mandated to report.
Is training available?
Mandated reporters may be required to take training to meet state legal requirements. In California, teachers, school employees, childcare providers, and volunteers who help with youth are all required to take mandated reporter training. Supervisors and HR employees of companies that hire teen workers are also required to take training.
If training is available or required by your state, you can find a link to training resources at the Mandated Reporter database.
What are the penalties for failing to report or false reporting?
Mandatory reporters have a legal duty to report. Most states enforce this requirement by penalizing those who fail to report suspected abuse or neglect. If you suspect abuse is occurring and don’t report it, the penalties for not reporting can include jail time, financial fees, or both.
Most states increase the penalties for failing to report when abuse leads to severe injuries or the fatality of a victim.
While mandated reporters are often shielded from liability from reporting, your state might forgo that protection in the event of false reporting. If you knowingly make a report that is false or made with “reckless disregard of the truth,” you may be held liable for damages that result.
The Mandated Reporter database provides state-specific information about penalties for failing to report or falsely reporting.
When is a report required?
Is there a certain time frame for reporting suspected abuse or neglect before you need to worry about those “failure to report” penalties? Many states have time requirements for mandatory reporting, including:
- When you should make a phone call to local law enforcement or welfare agencies
- How long do you have to file a written report after the initial phone call
Select your state from the database to find your guidelines for when to report.
Where does a report go?
Knowing where a report goes is probably the most important part of reporting. In many instances, local law enforcement and local welfare agencies (child welfare, adult welfare, or animal welfare) can take a report of abuse or neglect.
However, the type of abuse, severity of the situation, and location may all play a factor in knowing where to report suspected abuse.
Utilize the state-specific database to find out where to make a report in your state for each type of abuse.
What information must be included in a report?
Do you need to include your name and contact information when making a report? What other information must be included? You can find information such as the standards and forms used to make a report, what information to include, and what to expect after a report is filed at MandatedReporter.com.
Reporting requirements may vary from state to state, but one thing remains the same for every mandatory reporter. Your vigilance and adherence to your legal reporting requirements can help protect a vulnerable human or animal against violence, abuse, or neglect. When in doubt, the Mandated Reporter database can help you understand your reporting requirements so you can continue to support the vulnerable in your community.
