Is Illinois a mandatory reporting state?
Illinois (and all other states) require a wide range of professionals to report suspected child maltreatment. These professionals and any other person required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect are called mandated reporters.
What does mandated to report mean?
All states designate certain professionals as mandated reporters – some states require all citizens to report. A mandated reporter is one who is required by law to report reasonable suspicions of abuse. Regardlesss of the specific mandated reporter law, all adults should report suspected abuse to protect children.
How long does a mandated reporter certificate last in Illinois?
New Mandatory Training for All Mandated Reporters Further, such training must be provided more frequently—within three months of their date of engagement in a professional or official capacity as a mandated reporter and at least every 3 years thereafter (every 6 years for medical personnel who work with children).
What is mandated training?
The State of California provides free mandated reporter training funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the Office of Child abuse Prevention (OCAP). This training meets the state’s requirements to train reporters on how to (a) identify and (b) report suspected child abuse and neglect.
Who are mandated reporters in Illinois?
Mandated reporters include:
- physicians.
- physician assistants.
- psychiatrists, surgeons.
- residents.
- interns.
- dentists.
- dental hygienists.
- medical examiners.
What happens if you don’t mandatory report?
If a mandatory reporter does not report an instance of child A&N, that person will be charged by the district attorney with a misdemeanor offense. As such, not abiding by reporting requirements is punishable by: imprisonment in a county jail for up to six months, and/or. a maximum fine of $1,000.
Why is mandated reporting necessary?
The purpose of mandated reporting is to identify suspected abused and neglected children as soon as possible so that they can be protected from further harm. When should I report? You make a report when you suspect or have reason to suspect that abuse or neglect is occurring.
Who are mandatory reporters in Illinois?
What happens if a mandated reporter fails to report in Illinois?
Under the law, a mandated reporter’s failure to report suspected instances of child abuse or neglect to IDCFS constitutes a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to one year, or by a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both, and a second or subsequent violation is a Class 4 felony.
When was mandated reporting established?
The first child abuse reporting law in California was enacted in 1963. That early law mandated only physicians to report physical abuse. Over the years, numerous amendments have expanded the definition of reportable child abuse and the persons required to report it.
What are mandated reporters rights?
A mandated reporter is a person who, because of his or her profession, is legally required to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities. These laws are in place to prevent children from being abused and to end any possible abuse or neglect at the earliest possible stage.
What does the Illinois Department of children and Family Services do?
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is the governmental agency charged with conducting Child Abuse and Neglect investigations and providing all child welfare services to families in the state.
What is Illinois law regarding DCFS in schools?
Illinois law also calls on DCFS, in cooperation with school officials, to distribute posters throughout Illinois schools to let children know where they can turn for help. Download the You are not alone posters in English or en español for more information.
How can DCFS help mandated reporters?
To help mandated reporters understand their critical role in protecting children, DCFS administers a free online training course entitled Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Training for Mandated Reporters, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What does DCFS do to protect children?
DCFS has the primary responsibility of protecting children through the investigation of suspected abuse or neglect by parents and other caregivers in a position of trust or authority over the child.