Q: What do I need to know about state child abuse reporting laws?

A: If you don't take proper action regarding allegations of child abuse, you and your ministry may be subject to civil and criminal liability.

To be sure you are compliant with reporting laws, you should:

• Know the child abuse reporting requirements for your state.
• Develop administrative procedures for reporting child abuse with the help of an attorney.
• Train ministry leaders, employees and volunteers on the reporting procedures regularly.

If you aren't sure whether reporting is required or you determine that it is required, consult with an attorney.

Recommended Resources

If you found this information helpful, you might be interested in these other resources from Brotherhood Mutual:

• Learn how to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse in the Church.
• Find other tips on choosing supervisors in our article Supervising Church-Sponsored Activities.
• Develop a screening and supervision program with help from our Guidelines for Ministry Workers resource.

More Questions?

Do you have a question that wasn’t covered in this article? Submit your question to Brotherhood Mutual’s Legal Assist team.

This information is intended to be helpful. However, it is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney/client relationship. Every circumstance is different, and an organization's rights and obligations vary by jurisdiction. That's why we strongly encourage you to regularly consult with a local attorney as part of your risk management program. 

The information is accurate as of the date of publication; however, changes in law or regulation over time may affect the accuracy of the information presented.