Child Dependency Mandated Reporter
California Penal Code Section 11166 requires a mandated reporter to make a report to an agency listed in 11165.9, if the mandated reporter in his or her professional capacity or within the scope of employment, knows, observes, or reasonably suspects that your child has been the victim of abuse or neglect.
The mandated reporter is required to make an initial report as soon as possible with information relating to the abuse or suspected abuse of your child. If the mandated reporter fails to report the incident of abuse of your child, he or she may be charged with a misdemeanor, and may be sentenced to six months in the county jail or by a fine of $1,000.
Mandated Reporters in California
California Penal Code section 11165.7 provides a list of mandated reporters that are required to report if they suspect your child is being subjected to abuse, including:
1. A teacher
2. A teacher’s aide or teacher’s assistant employed by any public or private school
3. An administrator of a public or private school
4. An administrator or employee of a public or private youth center, youth recreation program, or youth organization
5. An administrator or employee of a public or private organization whose duties require direct contact and supervision of children
6. A licensee, an administrator, or an employee of a licensed community care or child day care facility
7. An employee of a child care institution, including, but not limited to, foster parents, group home personnel, and personnel of residential care facilities
8. A social worker, probation officer, or parole officer
9. A district attorney investigator, inspector, or local child support agency caseworker unless the investigator, inspector, or caseworker is working with an attorney appointed pursuant to Section 317 of the Welfare and Institutions Code to represent a minor
10. A peace officer
11. A firefighter, except for volunteer firefighters
12. A physician, surgeon, psychiatrist, psychologist, dentist, resident, intern, podiatrist, chiropractor, licensed nurse, dental hygienist, optometrist, marriage, family and child counselor, or clinical social worker
13. Any emergency medical technician I or II, or paramedic
14. A commercial film and photographic print processor, meaning any person who develops exposed photographic film into negatives, slides, or prints, or who makes prints from negatives or slides, for compensation
15. A child visitation monitor
16. An animal control officer or humane society officer
17. A clergy member, meaning a priest, minister, rabbi, religious practitioner, or similar functionary of a church, temple, or recognized denomination or organization.
18. Any employee of any police department, county sheriff’s department, county probation department, or county welfare department.
19. An alcohol and drug counselor
Our Family Law Attorneys are Ready to Help
If you have been reported for suspected abuse or neglect, it is important that you contact an experienced child dependency attorney. Not only can the attorneys at Wallin & Klarich provide you with legal support, but we understand that the child dependency process can be extremely painful for both you and your child.
Our law firm has over 30 years of experience and want to assist you to remain in contact with your child.
With offices located in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Victorville, West Covina, Sherman Oaks, Torrance and Ventura , there is a Wallin & Klarich attorney available wherever you happen to live.
Call us today at (888) 749-7428. We will get through this together.