Reporting Child Abuse
HRS 350-1.1 — teachers, health workers, police, clergy and others report at once to the department or the police
Child abuse or neglect is harm, or a reasonably foreseeable substantial risk of harm, to the physical or psychological health of a child under eighteen by someone responsible for the child, including injuries not justifiably explained, sexual abuse or exploitation, failure to provide timely food, clothing, shelter, medical care or supervision, and giving a child dangerous drugs.
Who handles this in Hawaii: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Hawaii directory.
- Health care professionals; school employees; social, medical and mental health service workers; law enforcement and court staff; child care providers; medical examiners; recreation and sports staff; photo processors; computer technicians; and members of the clergy report.
- They report immediately and orally to the department of human services or the police whenever they have reason to believe abuse or neglect occurred or is a substantial risk, then in writing as soon as possible.
- A staff member reports directly, and also tells the person in charge.
- A clergy member need not report what was learned only in a penitential communication, except where especially heinous abuse is a substantial risk.
A reporter who knowingly prevents another from reporting, or fails to give the information the section requires, commits a petty misdemeanor.
Sources for this section (3)
- HRS 350-1.1 — Reports
- HRS 350-1 — Definitions
- HRS 350-1.2 — Nonreporting; penalty
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Hawaii attorney.