Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

 

Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect

Professionals Required to Report
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 38-2223
The following persons are required to report:

• Persons providing medical care or treatment, including persons licensed to practice the healing arts, dentistry, and optometry; persons engaged in postgraduate training programs approved by the State Board of Healing Arts; licensed professional or practical nurses; and chief administrative officers of medical care facilities

• Persons licensed by the State to provide mental health services, including psychologists, clinical psychotherapists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and registered alcohol and drug abuse counselors

• Teachers, school administrators, or other employees of an educational institution that the child is attending

• Licensed child care providers or their employees at the place where the child care services are being provided to the child

• Firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, law enforcement officers, juvenile intake and assessment workers, court services officers, community corrections officers, case managers, and mediators

• Employees or volunteers for any organization, whether for profit or not-for-profit, that provides social services to pregnant teenagers, including, but not limited to, counseling, adoption services, and pregnancy education and maintenance

Reporting by Other Persons
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 38-2223
Any person who has reason to suspect that a child may be a child in need of care may report.

Institutional Responsibility to Report
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 38-2223
Reports of child abuse or neglect occurring in an institution operated by the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services or the Department of Juvenile Justice shall be made to the attorney general. All other reports of child abuse or neglect by persons employed by or of children of persons employed by the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services shall be made to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Standards for Making a Report
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 38-2223
A report is required when a reporter has reason to suspect that a child has been harmed as a result of physical, mental, or emotional abuse or neglect or sexual abuse.

Privileged Communications
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 38-2249
In all proceedings under this code, the rules of evidence of the code of civil procedure shall apply, except that no evidence relating to the condition of a child shall be excluded solely on the ground that the matter is or may be the subject of a physician-patient privilege, psychologist-client privilege, or social worker-client privilege.

Inclusion of Reporter's Name in Report
Not addressed in statutes reviewed.

Disclosure of Reporter Identity
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 38-2213
Information authorized to be disclosed in this subsection shall not contain information that identifies a reporter of a child alleged or adjudicated to be a child in need of care.

Updated 06/01/2016

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