Legislation
Children's Code, Title 21, Section 846. Mandatory
reporting of physical abuse of children; investigations; spiritual
treatment exemption; appointment of attorney for abused child.
Every
physician or surgeon, including doctors of medicine and dentistry,
licensed osteopathic physicians, residents, and interns, examining,
attending to, or treating a child under the age of 18 years, and every
registered nurse examining, attending to, or treating such a child in
the absence of a physician or surgeon, and every other person having
reason to believe that a child, under the age of 18 years, has had
physical injury or injuries inflicted upon him or her by other than
accidental means, where the injury appears to have been caused as a
result of physical abuse or neglect, shall report the matter promptly to
the county office of the Department of Human Services in the county
where the child resides and to the county office where the child is
currently. The law states that it is a misdemeanor for any person to
knowingly and willfully fail to promptly report any accident as provided
above.