Who Has To Report It
Soc. Serv. Law § 413 — listed professionals report, immediately, then in writing within forty-eight hours
In New York, the social services law names who must report suspected child abuse or maltreatment, when they have reasonable cause to suspect it about a child who comes before them in their professional or official capacity.
- Physicians, nurses, dentists, psychologists, social workers, emergency medical technicians and other health and mental health professionals.
- School officials, including teachers, guidance counselors, school nurses and administrators, and coaches holding a coaching license.
- Day care and foster care workers, camp directors, and staff of residential care facilities for children.
- Police and peace officers, district attorneys and their investigators.
Immediately, then in writing. Reports are made immediately by telephone or fax to the statewide central register, or the local child protective service where the local plan provides, and an oral report is followed by a written report within forty-eight hours.
At work. A staff member of an institution, school or agency reports as required and immediately notifies the person in charge, who handles the rest, and the institution may not retaliate against the employee for making the report.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionTelling the principal is the same as reporting | What the law actually doesThe staff member makes the report and also notifies the person in charge |
| The assumptionA phone call is all it takes | What the law actually doesAn oral report is followed by a written one within forty-eight hours |
Penalties for failing to report, immunity for good faith reports, and reports by anyone not on the list are not all on this page. What a particular situation carries is a question for a licensed New York attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Soc. Serv. Law § 413 — Persons and officials required to report cases of suspected child abuse or maltreatment
- Soc. Serv. Law § 415 — Reporting procedure
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New York attorney.