Who Has To Report It
MCL 722.623 — the listed reporters report immediately, and in writing within 72 hours
In Michigan, a physician, nurse, dentist, psychologist, social worker, school administrator, counselor or teacher, law enforcement officer, member of the clergy, regulated child care provider, and the others the section lists, who have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect, make an immediate report to centralized intake by telephone or the online reporting system.
| The step | When, as the section puts it |
|---|---|
| The stepThe immediate report | When, as the section puts itBy telephone, or online if available |
| The stepThe written report after a phone report | When, as the section puts itWithin 72 hours |
What counts as abuse or neglect, the immunity a good faith report carries, and the confidentiality of the reporter are set in other sections and are not reproduced here. In an emergency, the police come first. Whether a duty applied in a particular case is a question for a court and for a licensed Michigan attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- MCL 722.623 — Reporting of child abuse or neglect by certain persons
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Michigan attorney.