How to Report

Citation: Ann. Code Tit. 19, § 13201

A report is required when either of the following apply:

• A reporter, who in the course of their employment, occupation, or professional practice comes into contact with children, has reason to suspect on the basis of their medical, professional, or other training and experience that a child is an abused or neglected child
• Any commercial film or photographic print processor has knowledge of or observes any film, photograph, videotape, negative, or slide depicting a child under age 18 engaged in an act of sexual conduct

Citation: Ann. Code Tit. 19, § 13203(c)

Reports should include the following information:

• The name of the person making the report
• The name, age, and sex of the child
• The present location of the child
• The nature and extent of injury
• Any other information, including information that led that person to suspect child abuse, that may be requested by the child protective agency receiving the report
• Other information relevant to the incident of child abuse may also be given to an investigator from a child protective agency who is investigating the known or suspected case of child abuse
• The name of the person or persons responsible for causing the suspected abuse or neglect
• Family composition
• The actions taken by the reporting source, including:
  • The taking of photographs and x-rays
  • Removal or keeping of the child
  • Notification of the medical examiner
• Any other information which the child protective agency may, by regulation, require

Citation: Ann. Code Tit. 19, § 13207

Any person required to report who fails to report an instance of child abuse that he or she knows to exist or reasonably should know to exist is guilty of a misdemeanor that is punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 6 months or a fine of no more than $1,000, or both.

A second or subsequent conviction shall be a felony in the third degree.