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How to Report

District of Columbia (DC)

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Who is required to report?

Citation: Ann. Code § 4-1321.02

Persons required to report include the following:

  • Child and Family Services Agency employees, agents, and contractors
  • Physicians, psychologists, medical examiners, dentists, chiropractors
  • Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, or persons involved in the care and treatment of patients
  • Law enforcement officers or humane officers of any agency charged with the enforcement of animal cruelty laws
  • School officials, teachers, or athletic coaches
  • Department of Parks and Recreation employees
  • Public housing resident managers
  • Social service workers or daycare workers
  • Human trafficking counselors
  • Domestic violence counselors or mental health professionals

When is a report required?

Citation: Ann. Code § 4-1321.02

A report is required when any of the following apply:

  • A mandated reporter knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child known to them in their professional or official capacity has been or is in immediate danger of being a mentally or physically abused or neglected child.
  • A health professional, law enforcement officer, or humane officer, except an undercover officer whose identity or investigation might be jeopardized, has reasonable cause to believe that a child is abused because of inadequate care, control, or subsistence in the home environment due to exposure to drug-related activity.
  • A mandated reporter knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child known to them in their professional or official capacity has been, or is in immediate danger of being, the victim of sexual abuse or attempted sexual abuse; the child was assisted, supported, caused, encouraged, commanded, enabled, induced, facilitated, or permitted to become a prostitute; the child has an injury caused by a bullet; or the child has an injury caused by a knife or other sharp object that was caused by other than accidental means.
  • A licensed health professional who in their own professional or official capacity knows that a child under 12 months of age is diagnosed as having a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

What information should the report include?

Citation: Ann. Code § 4-1321.03

Reports must contain the following information, if known:

  • The name, age, sex, and address of the following individuals:
    • The child who is the subject of the report
    • Each of the child’s siblings and other children in the household
    • Each of the child’s parents or other persons responsible for the child’s care
  • The nature and extent of the abuse or neglect of the child and any previous abuse or neglect, if known
  • All other information which the person making the report believes may be helpful in:
    • Establishing the cause of the abuse or neglect
    • Identifying the person responsible for the abuse or neglect
  • If the source was required to report:
    • The identity and occupation of the source
    • How to contact the source
    • A statement of the actions taken by the source concerning the child

Failure to report

Citation: Ann. Code § 4-1321.07

Any person required to make a report under the reporting laws who willfully fails to make such a report shall be fined no more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 ($1,000) or imprisoned for no more than 180 days, or both.