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State Laws on Reporting and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect
The following Child Welfare Information Gateway products and other resources offer information about State laws related to reporting and responding to child abuse and neglect.
State statutes index and search
Access the Child Welfare Information Gateway State Statutes Series by title, or search statutes by individual States on issues related to child abuse and neglect, child welfare, and adoption.
State Statutes Series
Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect: Summary of State Laws | |
Series Title: | State Statutes |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 244KB) |
Year Published: | 2010 - 20 pages |
Discusses the clergy's responsibility to report instances of known or suspected abuse or neglect and the right of privileged communications. Summaries of laws for all States and US territories are included. |
Cross-Reporting Among Responders to Child Abuse and Neglect: Summary of State Laws | |
Series Title: | State Statutes |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 280KB) |
Year Published: | 2010 - 27 pages |
Reviews States' requirements for child protective and law enforcement agencies to share information and work cooperatively in responding to reports. Summaries of laws for all States and US territories are included. |
Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect | |
Series Title: | State Statutes |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 587KB) |
Year Published: | 2011 - 92 pages |
Provides State laws that define the conduct, acts, and omissions that constitute child abuse or neglect that must be reported to child protective agencies. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included. The laws presented are current through February 2011. |
Immunity for Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect | |
Series Title: | State Statutes |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 481KB) |
Year Published: | 2012 - 20 pages |
Summarizes State laws on immunity from liability for persons who in good faith report suspected instances of child abuse or neglect. Immunity statutes protect both mandatory and voluntary reporters from civil or criminal liability. This document describes that immunity, additional provisions, and limitations for statutes. |
Making and Screening Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect: Summary of State Laws | |
Series Title: | State Statutes |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 619KB) |
Year Published: | 2009 - 87 pages |
All 50 States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have laws and policies that specify procedures for making and responding to reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. All States require mandated reporters to make an immediate report when they suspect or know of abusive or neglectful situations. In all jurisdictions, the initial report may be made orally to either the child protective services (CPS) agency or a law enforcement agency. In addition, the laws and policies in all jurisdictions specify procedures for the initial response required by ... |
Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect: Summary of State Laws | |
Series Title: | State Statutes |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 380KB) |
Year Published: | 2010 - 55 pages |
Specifies individuals, typically by professional groups, who are required to report suspected child maltreatment. Summaries of laws for all States and US territories are included. |
Penalties for Failure to Report and False Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect: Summary of State Laws | |
Series Title: | State Statutes |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 248KB) |
Year Published: | 2009 - 21 pages |
Penalties that States may impose on mandatory reporters who fail to report, or on any person who makes a false report. Summaries of laws for all States and US territories are included. |
Related resources
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse (PDF - 63 KB)
American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence (2009)
Provides a listing by State of statutes defining mandatory reporters and includes citations.
National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse State Statutes
Access full-text excerpts of State statutes related to the criminal aspects of child abuse and neglect.
National Resource Center for Child Protective Services
Offers training and technical assistance to State agencies on CPS policy and program improvement.
State Child Welfare Legislation 2007-2008 (PDF - 465 KB)
National Conference of State Legislatures (2009)
Describes significant State legislation related to child welfare issues enacted in 2007 and 2008, including citations and summaries of specific child welfare-related laws in each State.
Statutes of Limitation for Prosecution of Offenses Against Children (PDF - 512 KB)
National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse (2010)
Includes State statutes that extend or eliminate time limitations for charging criminal offenses related to child victims.