Statute-at-a-Glance: Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect

Each State and U.S. Territory designates individuals, typically by professional group, who are mandated by law to report child maltreatment. Any person, however, may report incidents of abuse or neglect.

Individuals Typically Mandated to Report
Individuals typically designated as mandatory reporters have frequent contact with children. Such individuals include:

Health care workers

School personnel

Child care providers

Social workers

Law enforcement officers

Mental health professionals

Some States also mandate animal control officers, veterinarians, commercial film or photograph processors, substance abuse counselors, and firefighters to report abuse or neglect. Four States--Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, and South Dakota--include domestic violence workers on the list of mandated reporters. Approximately1 eighteen States require all citizens to report suspected abuse or neglect regardless of profession.

Standard for Making a Report

Typically a report must be made when the reporter suspects or has reasons to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected.

Privileged Communications

Approximately 34 States and Territories specify in their reporting laws when a communication is privileged.2 Privileged communications, which is the statutory recognition of the right to maintain the confidentiality of communications between professionals and their clients or patients, are exempt from mandatory reporting laws. The privilege most widely recognized by the States is that of attorney-client. The privilege pertaining to clergy-penitent also is frequently recognized, but limited to situations in which a clergy person becomes aware of child abuse through confessions or in the capacity of spiritual advisor. However, five States, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Texas, and West Virginia, deny the clergy-penitent privilege. Very few States recognize the physician-patient and mental health professional-patient privileges as exempt from mandatory reporting laws.

1 The word approximately is used to stress the fact that statutes are constantly being revised and updated. Back
2 Privilege communications may be addressed in other sections of State law, typically in rules of evidence of civil procedure.Back

The Statutes-at-a-Glance listings summarize specific sections of each State's code. While every attempt has been made to be as complete as possible, additional information on these topics may be in other sections of a State's code as well as in agency regulations, case law, and informal practices and procedures. Readers interested in interpretation of specific statutory provisions within an individual jurisdiction should consult with professionals within the State familiar with the statutes' implementation