Reporting Child Abuse
R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-3 — everyone reports, within twenty-four hours, and a good faith report is immune
Every person. Any person with reasonable cause to know or suspect a child has been abused or neglected, or sexually abused by another child, passes that information to the department of children, youth and families within twenty-four hours.
The department runs a statewide toll free line around the clock for those reports.
A person who reports in good faith is immune from civil and criminal liability, including for taking part in any court case that follows.
Knowingly failing to report, or preventing someone else from reporting, is a misdemeanor: up to $500, up to one year, or both, and civil liability for the harm caused.
A particular situation is a question for the department or a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-3 — Duty to report; Deprivation of nutrition or medical treatment
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-4 — Immunity from liability
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-11-6.1 — Penalty for failure to report or perform required act
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Rhode Island attorney.