Mandatory Reporting

HB 4016 requires that all employees of a public or private organization that provides child related services such as camps, sports programs, or youth centers are required to report suspected child abuse and neglect to law enforcement or Child Protective Services (CPS). Specifically, city employees and officials need to know: 

• All employees of an organization that provides youth related services would most likely be viewed as mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect even if their jobs do not require interaction with children; 
• The requirement to notify law enforcement supersedes employer policies. Notifying a supervisor does not fulfill an employee's responsibility under the law, a report must be made to law enforcement or CPS; 
• A mandatory report is required to report abuse wherever and whenever they encounter it, even if they are not at work; Failing to report child abuse is a class A violation (similar to a serious traffic offense); and 
• A person making a good faith report of child abuse is immune from civil liability.