Reporting Child Abuse
MCA 41-3-201 — doctors, teachers, clergy, police and others report promptly to the department, and anyone may
A professional or official who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect, through the work, that a child is abused or neglected reports it promptly to the department, whoever is suspected.
Who handles this in Montana: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the Montana directory.
- The list includes doctors, nurses and other health workers, teachers and school employees, social workers and day care staff, police, and members of the clergy.
- Any other person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect may report.
- A person who reports in good faith is immune from civil and criminal liability.
Failing to report. A required reporter who knowingly fails to report known abuse commits a misdemeanor. For known sexual abuse of a child it is a felony, up to 5 years and $10,000.
A person who knowingly makes a false report is liable for actual damages or $2,500, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees.
Sources for this section (3)
- MCA 41-3-201 — Reports
- MCA 41-3-203 — Liability -- immunity from liability -- damages
- MCA 41-3-207 — Penalties -- failure to report -- false reporting
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Montana attorney.