Mandated Reporting
Under Minnesota Statute 626.556, persons in designated professional occupations are mandated to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
Mandated reports include but are not limited to:
- Child care providers (baby sitters, center and in home providers and their staff)
- Clergy
- Corrections Management and Staff
- Education professional (school administration, support staff, teachers, assistants)
- Guardians ad litem
- Health Care professionals (dental professionals, hospital staff, medical professionals and personnel)
- Law Enforcement
- Mental Health Professional (psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and counselors)
- Probation officers
- Social service professionals (social workers, foster parents, group home staff)
Mandated reporters are required by law to report to child protection if they know or have a reason to believe that a child is being abused or neglected or that a child has been neglected or abused within the prior three years.
The individual with direct knowledge of possible child abuse or neglect is individually responsible to report to the police or child protection. Reporting the concern to a supervisor, administrator, or other coworkers does not mitigate your responsibility to report. The reporter’s name is confidential, and accessible only if the reporter consents or by a court order.
If a mandated reporter fails to report suspected abuse or neglect, they could be prosecuted for committing a misdemeanor. If a child suffers substantial or great bodily harm as a result of not receiving needed treatment for the abuse or neglect because of failure to report, it is a gross misdemeanor. If the child dies as a result, it is a felony.