When to Report
Healthcare providers in every State are mandated to report
child abuse and neglect. In Massachusetts the mandated reporting law
is as follows (for reporting laws of other States, click here):
Massachusetts Mandated Reporting Law - Who Must Report:
Physicians; medical interns; hospital personnel engaged
in the examination, care, or treatment of persons; medical examiners; emergency
medical technicians; dentists; nurses; chiropractors; podiatrists; optometrists;
osteopaths; psychiatrists;
Teachers; educational administrators; day-care workers of persons paid
to care for or work with children in facilities, or homes or programs funded
or licensed by the State which provide day-care or residential services to
children or which provide the services of child care resource and referral
agencies, voucher management agencies, family day-care systems and child care
food programs; school attendance officers;
Psychologists; social workers; licensed allied mental health and human
services professionals; drug and alcoholism counselors; clinical social workers;
guidance or family counselors;*
Probation officers; clerk/magistrates of district courts; parole officers;
foster parents; firefighters or police officers; office for children licensers.
*Any privilege established by statutes regarding social worker and client
or psychotherapist and patient confidential communications shall not prohibit
the filing of a report pursuant to the provisions of the reporting laws.
Circumstances:
When, in their professional capacities, they have reasonable
cause to believe that a child under age 18 is:
Suffering physical or emotional injury resulting from
abuse inflicted upon him or her which causes harm or substantial risk of harm
to the childs health or welfare, including sexual abuse;
Suffering from neglect, including malnutrition; or
Determined to be physically dependent upon an addictive drug at birth.
(1)
References:
(1) National Clearinghouse on Child
Abuse and Neglect Information. (December 31, 2000). Child Abuse and Neglect
State Statutes Elements: Reporting Laws Number 2. Washington, DC: U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services.