Walk It Through: The Report

A mandated reporter calls immediately and writes within 36 hours, and anyone else may report.

A teacher sees signs that a student is being neglected.

Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.

One teacher and one neighbor. What counts as abuse or neglect, the immunity a good faith report carries, and the list of mandated reporters are not worked through here.

A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.

Words this turns on

Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.

Mandated reporterA person who, in a professional capacity or within the scope of employment, knows of or reasonably suspects child abuse or neglect, and reports it by telephone immediately or as soon as practicably possible, with a written follow up within 36 hours.