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How to Report

Puerto Rico

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Who is required to report?

Citation: Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 446, Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 1131

The following individuals and entities are required to report:

  • Professionals or public officials
  • Public, private, or privatized entities
  • Professionals in the fields of health, justice, education, social work, or public order
  • Persons who administer or work in caregiving institutions or centers, rehabilitation institutions, centers for minors, or foster homes
  • Processors of film or photographs
  • Professionals Required to Report

All persons shall be required to immediately report cases of actual or suspected child maltreatment.

When is a report required?

Citation: Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 1131

A report is required when either of the following apply:

  • A person has knowledge of actual or suspected child abuse, institutional abuse, neglect, and/or institutional neglect or knows that a child is at risk of being a victim of maltreatment
  • A person who, in the performance of their professional responsibilities or employment, has knowledge of or watches any film, photograph, videotape, negative, or slide that depicts a minor involved in a sexual activity

What information should the report include?

Citation: Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 446

Reports shall contain, but not be limited to, all information that confirms the abuse.

Every motion picture, photograph, videotape, negative, or slide that shows a minor involved in a sexual activity shall be delivered to the nearest police station.

Failure to report

Citation: Ann. Laws Tit. 8, § 450a

Any person, official, or public or private institution with the obligation of furnishing information pursuant to the provisions of either § 444 or 446 and who voluntarily and deliberately fails to comply with that obligation, or who fails to perform any other act required by this chapter, or deliberately prevents another person acting reasonably from doing so shall commit a misdemeanor and if convicted shall be sanctioned by a fine up to $5000 or by imprisonment up to 90 days.