Walk It Through: The Report

Professionals report orally and in writing within 48 hours, and every other person reports too.

A human service worker has reason to believe a child has been neglected.

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

One human service worker and one neighbor. What counts as abuse or neglect, the immunity a good faith report carries, and the confidentiality of the reporter 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.

Duty to notifyThe duty of a health practitioner, police officer, educator or human service worker who has reason to believe a child has been abused or neglected to notify the local department or law enforcement, orally as soon as possible and in writing not later than 48 hours after the contact that raised the concern.