Whenever a mandated reporter is required to report in his or her capacity as a member of the staff of a hospital, school, social agency or similar institution, he or she shall immediately notify the person in charge of the institution or his or her designated agent who shall then be required to make the report. The fact that such notification has been made does not relieve the person who was originally required to report from his or her duty of having the report made promptly to the Metropolitan Police Department or the Child Protective Services Division.

In addition to those persons who are required to report, any other person may make a report to the Metropolitan Police Department or the Child Protective Services Division.

In addition to the requirements above, any mental health professional, or a law enforcement officer, except an undercover officer whose identity or investigation might be jeopardized, shall report immediately, in writing, to the Child Protective Services Division that the law enforcement officer or health professional has reasonable cause to believe that a child is abused as a result of inadequate care, control, or subsistence in the home environment due to exposure to drug-related activity.

Each person required to make a report of a known or suspected neglected child shall:

• Immediately make an oral report of the case to the Child Protective Services Division; and
• Make a written report of the case if requested by said Division or Police or if the abuse involves drug-related activity.

The report shall include, but need not be limited to, the following information, if it is known to the person making the report:

• 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
  - 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 reporter believes may be helpful in establishing the cause of the abuse or neglect and the identity of the person responsible for the abuse and neglect; and
• If the source was required to report under the reporting laws, the identity and occupation of the source, how to contact the source and a statement of the action taken by the source concerning the child.

Mandatory reporters are required to provide their names to the hotline staff. The names of reporters shall be entered into the record of the report, but shall be held confidential.

Reports involving known or suspected institutional child abuse or neglect shall be made and received in the same manner as all other reports made pursuant to this section.

Reports involving abandoned newborn infants as described in s. 383.50 shall be made and received by the Department.

• If the report is of an abandoned newborn infant and there is no indication of abuse, neglect, or abandonment of the infant other than that necessarily entailed in the infant having been left at a hospital, emergency medical services station or fire station, the Department shall provide to the caller the name of a licensed child-placing agency on a rotating basis from a list of licensed child-placing agencies eligible and required to accept physical custody of and to place newborn infants left at a hospital, emergency medical services station or fire station. The report shall not be considered a report of abuse, neglect, or abandonment solely because the infant has been left at a hospital, emergency medical services station, or fire station.
• If the caller reports indications of abuse or neglect beyond that necessarily entailed in the infant having been left at a hospital, emergency medical services station, or fire station, the report shall be considered as a report of abuse, neglect, or abandonment and shall be subject to the requirements of the reporting laws and all other relevant provisions of this chapter.

The Department of Children and Family Services shall be capable of receiving and investigating reports of known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If it appears that the immediate safety or well-being of a child is endangered, that the family may flee or the child will be unavailable for purposes of conducting a child protective investigation, or that the facts otherwise so warrant, the Department shall commence an investigation immediately, regardless of the time of day or night. In all other child abuse, abandonment, or neglect cases, a child protective investigation shall be commenced within 24 hours after receipt of the report.

The Department shall immediately forward allegations of criminal conduct to the municipal or county law enforcement agency of the municipality or county in which the alleged conduct has occurred.

Upon receiving a written report of an allegation of criminal conduct from the Department, the law enforcement agency shall review the information in the written report to determine whether a criminal investigation is warranted. If the law enforcement agency accepts the case for investigation, it shall coordinate its investigative activities with the Department, whenever feasible. If the law enforcement agency does not accept the case for criminal investigation, the agency shall notify the Department in writing.

If a person is required to report abuse pursuant to the reporting laws because that person attends to a child pursuant to such person's duties as a member of the staff of a hospital, school, social agency, or similar facility, that person shall notify the person in charge of the facility, or the designated delegate thereof, and the person so notified shall report or cause a report to be made in accordance with the statute. A staff member who makes a report to the person designated pursuant to this paragraph shall be deemed to have fully complied with this subsection.

Any other person, other than any specified mandatory reporters, who has reasonable cause to believe that a child is abused may report or cause reports to be made.

An oral report shall be made as soon as possible by telephone or otherwise and followed by a report in writing, if requested, to a child welfare agency providing protective services, as designated by the Department of Human Resources, or, in the absence of such agency, to an appropriate police authority or district attorney.

If a report of child abuse is made to the child welfare agency or independently discovered by the agency, and the agency has reasonable cause to believe such report is true or the report contains any allegation or evidence of child abuse, then the agency shall immediately notify the appropriate police authority or district attorney.

Such reports shall contain the names and addresses of the child and the child's parents or caretakers, if known, the child's age, the nature and extent of the child's injuries, including any evidence of previous injuries, and any other information that the reporting person believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of the injuries and the identity of the perpetrator.

Photographs of the child's injuries to be used as documentation in support of allegations by hospital staff, physicians, law enforcement personnel, school officials, or staff of legally mandated public or private child protective agencies may be taken without the permission of the child's parent or guardian; provided, however, that any photograph taken pursuant to this Code section shall, if reasonably possible, be taken in a manner which shall not reveal the identity of the subject. Such photograph shall be made available as soon as possible to the chief welfare agency providing protective services and to the appropriate police authority.

A person who, in the course of processing or producing visual or printed matter either privately or commercially, has reasonable cause to believe that the visual or printed matter submitted for processing or producing depicts a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct shall immediately report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or the law enforcement agency for the county in which such matter is submitted.

Whenever a person designated as a mandated reporter is a member of the staff of any public or private school, agency, or institution, that staff member shall immediately notify the person in charge, or a designated delegate, who shall immediately report, or cause reports to be made, in accordance with the reporting laws.

Any mandated reporter shall, upon demand of the Department of Human Services or any police department, provide all information related to the alleged incident of child abuse or neglect, including, but not limited to, medical records and medical reports, which was not included in the written report.

If a police department is the initiating agency, a written report shall be filed with the Department of Human Services for cases that the police take further action on or for active cases in the Department under this chapter.

The initial oral report shall be followed as soon as possible by a report in writing to the Department.

All written reports shall contain, if known:

• The name and address of the child and the child's parents or other persons responsible for the child's care;
• The child's age;
• The nature and extent of the child's injuries; and
• Any other information that the reporter believes might be helpful or relevant to the investigation of the child abuse or neglect.

This subsection shall not be construed to serve as a cause of action against the Department or the police.

Upon receiving a report concerning child abuse or neglect, the Department of Human Services shall initiate an investigation pursuant to statute and Department rules.

The Department shall inform the appropriate police department of all reports received by the Department regarding a case of child abuse or neglect, including reports received under § 350-1.1, provided that the name of the person who reported the case of child abuse or neglect shall be released to the police department pursuant only to court order or the person's consent.

The Department of Human Services shall inform the appropriate police department or office of the prosecuting attorney of the relevant information concerning a case of child abuse or neglect when such information is required by the police department or the office of the prosecuting attorney for the investigation of that case; provided the name of the person who reported the case of child abuse or neglect shall only be released to a police department or an office of the prosecuting attorney pursuant to court order or the person's consent.

The Department of Health and Welfare shall be informed by law enforcement of any report made directly to it.

When the attendance of a physician, resident, intern, nurse, day care worker, or social worker is pursuant to the performance of services as a member of the staff of a hospital or similar institution, he shall notify the person in charge of the institution or his designated delegate who shall make the necessary reports.

Whenever such person is required to report under the reporting laws in his capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, school, facility or agency, he shall make report immediately to the Department of Children and Family Services in accordance with the law and may also notify the person in charge of such institution, school, facility or agency or his designated agent that such report has been made. Under no circumstances shall any person in charge of such institution, school, facility or agency, or his designated agent to whom such notification has been made, exercise any control, restraint, modification or other change in the report or the forwarding of such report to the Department.

In addition to the above persons required to report suspected cases of abused or neglected children, any other person may make a report if such person has reasonable cause to believe a child may be an abused child or a neglected child.

All reports of suspected child abuse or neglect made under the reporting laws shall be made immediately by telephone to the central register on the single, statewide, toll-free telephone number, or in person or by telephone through the nearest Department of Children and Family Services office.

All reports by mandated reporters shall be confirmed in writing to the appropriate Child Protective Service Unit, which may be on forms supplied by the Department of Children and Family Services within 48 hours of any initial report. Written confirmation reports from persons not required to report by the reporting laws may be made to the appropriate Child Protective Service Unit.

Written reports from mandated reporters shall be admissible in evidence in any judicial proceeding relating to child abuse or neglect. Reports involving known or suspected child abuse or neglect in public or private residential agencies or institutions shall be made and received in the same manner as all other reports made under the reporting laws.

The Department of Children and Family Services shall, in cooperation with school officials, distribute appropriate materials in school buildings listing the toll-free telephone number, including methods of making a report under the reporting laws.

Reports made to the central register through the statewide, toll-free telephone number shall be immediately transmitted to the appropriate Child Protective Service Unit. The Department of Children and Family Services shall, within 24 hours, orally notify local law enforcement personnel and the office of the State's Attorney of the involved county of the receipt of any report alleging the death of a child, serious injury to a child including, but not limited to, brain damage, skull fractures, subdural hematomas, and, internal injuries, torture of a child, malnutrition of a child, and sexual abuse to a child, including, but not limited to, sexual intercourse, sexual exploitation, sexual molestation, and sexually transmitted disease in a child age 12 and under.

All oral reports made by the Department of Children and Family Services to local law enforcement personnel and the office of the State's Attorney of the involved county shall be confirmed in writing within 48 hours of the oral report.

The report required by this Act shall include, if known:

• The name and address of the child and his parents or other persons having his custody;
• The child's age;
• The nature of the child's condition including any evidence of previous injuries or disabilities; and
• Any other information that the person filing the report believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of such abuse or neglect and the identity of the person believed to have caused such abuse or neglect.

There shall be a single statewide, toll-free telephone number established and maintained by the Department of Children and Family Services which all persons, whether or not mandated by law, may use to report suspected child abuse or neglect at any hour of the day or night, on any day of the week. Immediately upon receipt of such reports, the Department shall transmit the contents of the report, either orally or electronically, to the appropriate Child Protective Service Unit. Any other person may use the statewide number to obtain assistance or information concerning the handling of child abuse and neglect cases.

The Department of Children and Family Services shall prepare, print, and distribute initial, preliminary, and final reporting forms to each Child Protective Service Unit.

Initial written reports from the reporting source shall contain the following information to the extent known at the time the report is made:

• The names and addresses of the child and his parents or other persons responsible for his welfare;
• The name and address of the school that the child attends (or the school that the child last attended, if the report is written during the summer when school is not in session), and the name of the school district in which the school is located, if applicable;
• The child's age, sex, and race;
• The nature and extent of the child's abuse or neglect, including any evidence of prior injuries, abuse, or neglect of the child or his siblings;
• The names of the persons apparently responsible for the abuse or neglect;
• Family composition, including names, ages, sexes, and races of other children in the home;
• The name of the person making the report, his occupation, and where he can be reached;
• The actions taken by the reporting source, including the taking of photographs and x-rays, placing the child in temporary protective custody, or notifying the medical examiner or coroner; and
• Any other information the person making the report believes might be helpful in the furtherance of the purposes of this Act.

If an individual is required to make a report under the reporting law in the individual's capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, school, facility, or agency, the individual shall immediately notify the individual in charge of the institution, school, facility or agency or the designated agent of the individual in charge.

An individual so notified shall report or cause a report to be made.

This provision does not relieve an individual of the obligation to report on his own behalf, unless a report has already been made to the best of the individual's belief.

A person who has a duty to report under the reporting law that a child may be a victim of child abuse or neglect shall immediately make an oral report to:

• The local child protection service; or
• The local law enforcement agency.

The local child protection service shall make a written report of a child who may be a victim of child abuse or neglect no later than 48 hours after receipt of the oral report required of individuals.

A copy of the local child protection service shall immediately be made available to:

• The appropriate law enforcement agency;
• The prosecuting attorney; and
• In a case involving death, the coroner for the coroner's consideration.

This section applies if the local child protection service receives a report of suspected child abuse or neglect from a hospital, a community health center, a managed care provider, a referring physician, a dentist, a licensed psychologist, or a school. No later than 30 days after the date a local child protection service receives a report of suspected child abuse from a person or entity described above, the child protection service shall send a report to:

• The administrator of the hospital;
• The community mental health center;
• The managed care provider;
• The referring physician;
• The dentist; or
• The principal of the school.

The report must contain the items listed below that are known at the time the report is sent.

No later than 90 days after the date a local child protection service receives a report, the service shall send a report that contains any additional information that was not covered in the prior report.

A report made by the local child protection service under this section must contain the following information:

• The name of the alleged victim of child abuse or neglect;
• The name of the alleged perpetrator and the alleged perpetrator's relationship to the alleged victim;
• Whether the case is closed;
• Whether information concerning the case has been expunged;
• The name of any agency to which the alleged victim has been referred;
• Whether the local child protection service has made an investigation of the case and has not taken any further action;
• Whether a substantiated case of child abuse or neglect was informally adjusted;
• Whether the alleged victim was referred to the juvenile court as a child in need of services;
• Whether the alleged victim was returned to the victim's home;
• Whether the alleged victim was placed in residential care outside the victim's home;
• Whether a wardship was established for the alleged victim;
• Whether a criminal action is pending or has been brought against the alleged perpetrator;
• A brief description of any casework plan that has been developed by the child protection service;
• The caseworker's name and telephone number;
• The date the report is prepared;
• Other information that the Division of Family and Children may prescribe.

Written reports must be made on forms supplied by the administrator, and include, if known, the following information:

• The names and addresses of the child, and the child's parents, guardian, custodian, or other person responsible for the child's care;
• The child's age and sex;
• The nature and apparent extent of the child's injuries, abuse, or neglect, including any evidence of prior injuries of the child, or abuse or neglect of the child or the child's siblings;
• The name of the person allegedly responsible for causing the injury, abuse, or neglect;
• The source of the report;
• The person making the report and where the person can be reached;
• The actions taken by the reporting source, including taking of photographs and x-rays, removal or keeping of the child, or notifying the coroner;
• Written documentation required by statute if a child was taken into custody without a court order;
• Any other information that the director of the Division of Family and Children requires by rule, or the person making the report believes might be helpful.

When a law enforcement agency receives an initial report under the reporting law that a child may be a victim of child abuse or neglect, the law enforcement agency shall:

• Immediately communicate the report to the local child protection service, whether or not the law enforcement agency has reason to believe there exists an imminent danger to the child's health or welfare; and
• Conduct an immediate, onsite investigation of the report along with the local child protection service whenever the law enforcement agency has reason to believe that an offense has been committed.

In all cases, the law enforcement agency shall forward any information, including copies of investigation reports, on incidents of cases in which a child may be a victim of child abuse or neglect, whether or not obtained under the reporting laws, to the local child protection agency and the juvenile court.

Each report made by a mandatory reporter shall be made both orally and in writing. Each report made by a permissive reporter may be oral, written or both.

The employer or supervisor of a person who is a mandatory or permissive reporter shall not apply a policy, work rule, or other requirement that interferes with the person making a report of child abuse.

The oral report shall be made by telephone or otherwise to the Department of Human Services.

If the person making the report has reason to believe that immediate protection for the child is advisable, that person shall also make an oral report to an appropriate law enforcement agency.

The written report shall be made to the Department of Human Services within 48 hours after such oral report.

A report made by a permissive reporter shall be regarded as a report pursuant to this chapter whether or not the report contains all of the information required by this section and may be made to the Department of Human Services, county attorney, or law enforcement agency.

Within 24 hours of receiving a report from a mandatory or permissive reporter, the Department shall inform the reporter, orally or by other appropriate means, whether or not the department has commenced an assessment of the allegation in the report.

Upon receipt of a report, the Department shall do the following:

• Immediately, upon receipt of an oral report, make a determination as to whether the report constitutes an allegation of child abuse;
• Notify the appropriate county attorney of receipt of the report.

If the report is made to any agency other than the Department of Human Services, such agency shall promptly refer the report to the Department of Human Services.

If a report would be determined to constitute an allegation of child abuse relating to a sexual offense with or to a child, except that the suspected abuse resulted from the acts or omissions of a person other than a person responsible for the care of the child, the Department shall refer the report to the appropriate law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to investigate the allegation, and refer the report orally as soon as practicable and in writing within 72 hours of receiving the report.

The oral and written reports shall contain the following information, or as much thereof as the person making the report is able to furnish:

• Names and home address of the child and the child's parents or other persons believed to be responsible for the child's care;
• Child's present whereabouts if not the same as the parent's or other person's home address;
• Child's age;
• Nature and extent of child's injuries, including any evidence of previous injuries;
• Name, age and condition of other children in the same house;
• Any other information which the person making the report believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of the injury to the child, the identity of the person or persons responsible for the injury, or in providing assistance to the child; and
• The name and address of the person making the report.

The report may be made orally and shall be followed by a written report if requested.

When the suspicion is the result of medical examination or treatment of a child by a member of the staff of a medical care facility or similar institution, that staff member shall immediately notify the superintendent, manager, or other person in charge of the institution who shall make a written report forthwith.

Any other person who has reason to suspect that a child has been injured as a result of physical, mental or emotional abuse or neglect or sexual abuse may report the matter as provided by statute.

Every written report shall contain, if known, the names and addresses of the child and the child's parents or other persons responsible for the child's care, the child's age, the nature and extent of the child's injury (including any evidence of previous injuries) and any other information that the maker of the report believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of the injuries and the identity of the persons responsible for the injuries.

Except as provided below, reports made pursuant to this law shall be made to the State Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. When the Department is not open for business, the reports shall be made to the appropriate law enforcement agency. On the next day that the Department is open for business, the law enforcement agency shall report to the Department any report received and investigation initiated. The reports may be made orally or, on request of the Department, in writing.

Reports of child abuse or neglect occurring in an institution operated by the Secretary of Social and Rehabilitation Services or the Commissioner of Juvenile Justice shall be made to the Attorney General. All other reports of child abuse or neglect by persons employed by or of children of persons employed by the State Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services or the Juvenile Justice Authority shall be made to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child is dependent, neglected, or abused shall immediately cause an oral or written report to be made to a local law enforcement agency of the Kentucky State Police; the Cabinet for Families and Children or its designated representative; the Commonwealth's attorney or the county attorney; by telephone or otherwise.

Any supervisor who receives from an employee a report of suspected dependency, neglect or abuse shall promptly make a report to the proper authorities for investigation.

Any mandated reporter who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child is dependent, neglected or abused, regardless of whether the person believed to have caused the dependency, neglect or abuse is a parent, guardian, person exercising custodial control or supervision or another person, or who has attended such child as part of his professional duties shall, if requested, in addition to the report required above, file with the local law enforcement agency or the Kentucky State Police or the Commonwealth's attorney or county attorney, the Cabinet for Families and Children or its designated representative within 48 hours or the original report a written report.

If the Cabinet for Children and Families receives a report of abuse or neglect allegedly committed by a person other than a parent, guardian or person exercising custodial control or supervision, the Cabinet shall refer that matter to the Commonwealth's attorney or the county attorney and the local law enforcement agency or the Kentucky State Police. Nothing in this section shall relieve individuals of their obligation to report.

The written report shall contain:

• The names and addresses of the child and his parents or other persons exercising custodial control or supervision;
• The child's age;
• The nature and extent of the child's alleged dependency, neglect or abuse (including any previous charges of dependency, neglect or abuse) to this child or his siblings;
• The name and address of the person allegedly responsible for the abuse or neglect; and
• Any other information that the person making the report believes may be helpful in the furtherance of the purposes of the reporting laws.

The Cabinet for Families and Children upon request shall receive from any agency of the State or any other agency, institution or facility providing services to the child or his family, such cooperation, assistance and information as will enable the Cabinet to fulfill its responsibilities under the law.

Upon receipt of a report alleging abuse or neglect by a parent, guardian, or person exercising custodial control or supervision, the recipient of the report shall immediately notify the Cabinet for Families and Children or its designated representative, the local law enforcement agency or the Kentucky State Police, the Commonwealth's or county attorney of the receipt of the report unless they are the reporting source.

Based upon the allegation in the report, the Cabinet shall immediately make an initial determination as to the risk of harm and immediate safety of the child. Based upon the level of risk determined, the cabinet shall investigate the allegation or accept the report for an assessment of family needs and, if appropriate, may provide or make referral to any community-based services necessary to reduce risk to the child and to provide family support. A report of sexual abuse shall be considered high risk and shall not be referred to any other community agency.

The Cabinet shall, within 72 hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays, make a written report to the Commonwealth's or county attorney and the local enforcement agency or Kentucky State Police concerning the action that has been taken on the investigation.

If the report alleges abuse or neglect by someone other than a parent, guardian, or person exercising custodial control or supervision, the cabinet shall immediately notify the Commonwealth's or county attorney and the local law enforcement agency or Kentucky State Police.

Upon receipt of a report alleging dependency, the recipient shall immediately notify the Cabinet or its designated representative.

Based upon the allegation in the report, the Cabinet shall immediately make an initial determination as to the risk of harm and immediate safety of the child. Based upon the level of risk, the Cabinet shall investigate the allegation or accept the report for an assessment of family needs and, if appropriate, may provide or make referral to any community-based services necessary to reduce risk to the child and to provide family support. A report of sexual abuse shall be considered high risk and shall not be referred to any other community agency.

The Cabinet need not notify the local law enforcement agency or Kentucky State Police or county attorney or Commonwealth's attorney of reports made under this subsection.

If the Cabinet or its designated representative receives a report of abuse by a person other than a parent, guardian, or other person exercising custodial control or supervision of a child, it shall immediately notify the local law enforcement agency or Kentucky State Police and the Commonwealth's or county attorney of the receipt of the report and its contents and they shall investigate the matter. The Cabinet or its designated representative shall participate in an investigation of noncustodial physical abuse or neglect at the request of the local law enforcement agency or the Kentucky State Police. The Cabinet shall participate in all investigations of reported or suspected sexual abuse of a child.

If the initial report was in oral form by a mandatory reporter, it shall be followed by a written report made within five days to the local child protection unit of the Department of Social Services or, if necessary, to the local law enforcement agency.

Any commercial film or photographic print processor who has knowledge of or observes, within the scope of this professional capacity or employment, any film, photograph, videotape, negative, or slide depicting a child who he knows or should know is under the age of 17 years, which constitutes child pornography as defined by law, shall report immediately to the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the case. The reporter shall provide a copy of the film, photograph, videotape, negative, or slide to the agency receiving the report.

The report shall contain the following information, if known:

• The name, address, age, sex, and race of the child;
• The nature, extent, and cause of the child's injuries or endangered condition, including any previous known or suspected abuse to this child or the child's siblings;
• The name and address of the child's parent(s) or other caretaker;
• The names and ages of all other members of the child's household;
• The name and address of the reporter;
• An account of how the child came to the reporter's attention;
• Any explanation of the cause of the child's injury or condition offered by the child, the caretaker, or any other person;
• Any other information which the reporter believes might be important or relevant.

The report shall also name the person or persons who are thought to have caused or contributed to the child's condition, if known, and the report shall contain the name of such person if he is named by the child.

All reports received by any local or State law enforcement agency involving abuse or neglect in which the child's parent or caretaker, a person who maintains an interpersonal dating or engagement relationship with the parent or caretaker, or a person living in the same residence with the parent or caretaker as a spouse whether married or not, is believed responsible shall be referred to the local child protection unit of the Department of Social Services.

A local child protection unit shall refer abuse or neglect cases not involving a parent, caretaker, or occupant of the household to the appropriate law enforcement agency and shall also report all cases of child death which involve a suspicion of abuse or neglect as a contributing factor in the child's death to the local or State law enforcement agencies, the office of the district attorney, and the coroner.

Whenever a person is required to report in a capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or public or private institution, agency or facility, that person shall immediately notify either the person in charge of the institution, agency or facility, or a designated agent, who shall then cause a report to be made. The staff may also make a report directly to the Department of Human Services.

Any person may make a report if that person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected.

When, while acting in a professional capacity, any mandated reporter knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected by a person not responsible for the child, the person shall immediately report or cause a report to be made to the appropriate district attorney's office.

When a licensed mental health professional is required to report, and the knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected comes from treatment of a person responsible for the abuse or neglect, the licensed mental health professional shall report to the Department of Human Services in accordance the reporting laws and under the following conditions.

When a licensed mental health professional is required to report and the knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected comes from treatment of a person responsible for the abuse or neglect, the licensed mental health professional shall report to the Department of Human Services in accordance with the reporting laws and under the following conditions:

• The Department of Human Services shall consult with the licensed mental health professional who has made the report and shall attempt to reach agreement with the professional as to how the report is to be pursued. If agreement is not reached, the licensed mental health professional may request a meeting.
• Upon the request of the licensed mental health professional who has made the report, after the Department has completed its investigation of the report or has received a preliminary protection order and where the Department plans to initiate or has initiated a final protection or plans to refer or has referred the report to law enforcement officials, the Department shall convene at least one meeting of the licensed mental health professional who made the report, at least one representative from the Department, a licensed mental health professional with expertise in child child abuse or neglect and a representative of the district attorney's office having jurisdiction over the report, unless that office indicates that prosecution is unlikely.
• The persons meeting shall make recommendations regarding treatment and prosecution of the person responsible for the abuse or neglect. The persons making the recommendations shall take into account the nature, extent and severity of abuse or neglect, the safety of the child and the community and needs of the child and other family members for treatment of the effects of the abuse or neglect and the willingness of the person responsible for the abuse or neglect to engage in treatment. The persons making the recommendations may review or revise these recommendations at their discretion.

The intent of this subsection is to encourage offenders to seek and effectively utilize treatment, at the same time providing any necessary protection and treatment for the child and other family members.

Reports regarding abuse or neglect shall be made immediately by telephone to the Department of Human Services and shall be followed by a written report within 48 hours if requested by the Department.

The reports shall include the following information if within the knowledge of the person reporting:

• The name and address of the child and the persons responsible for his care or custody;
• The child's age and sex;
• The nature and extent of abuse or neglect, including a description of injuries and any explanation given for them;
• A description of sexual abuse or exploitation;
• Family composition and evidence of prior abuse or neglect of the child or his siblings;
• The source of the report, the person making the report, his occupation and where he can be contacted;
• The actions taken by the reporting source, including a description of photographs or x-rays taken; and
• Any other information that the person making the report believes may be helpful.

• Abuse, shall notify the local Department of Social Services or the appropriate law enforcement agency; or
• Neglect, shall notify the local department.

If acting as a staff member of a hospital, public health agency, child care institution, juvenile detention center, school, or similar institution, the mandated reporter shall immediately notify and give all information required by this section to the head of the institution or the designee of the head.

An individual who notifies the appropriate authorities under the above subsection shall make:

• An oral report, by telephone or direct communication, as soon as possible:
  - To the local department or appropriate law enforcement agency if the person has reason to believe that the child has been subjected to abuse; or
  - To the local department if the person has reason to believe that the child has been subjected to neglect; and
• A written report:
  - To the local department not later than 48 hours after the contact, examination, attention, or treatment that caused the individual to believe that the child had been subjected to abuse or neglect; and
  - With a copy to the local State's Attorney if the individual has reason to believe that the child has been subjected to abuse.

An agency to which an oral report of suspected abuse is made shall immediately notify the other agency.

This paragraph does not prohibit a local Department of Social Services and an appropriate law enforcement agency from agreeing to cooperative arrangements.

Insofar as is reasonably possible, an individual who makes a report under this section shall include in the report the following information:

• The name, age, and home address of the child;
• The name and home address of the child's parent or other person who is responsible for the child's care;
• The whereabouts of the child;
• The nature and extent of the abuse or neglect of the child, including any evidence or information available to the reporter concerning possible previous instances of abuse or neglect; and
• Any other information that would help to determine:
  - The cause of the suspected abuse or neglect; and
  - The identity of any individual responsible for the abuse or neglect.

Except as provided in this subsection, notwithstanding any other provision of law, including a law on privileged communications, a person other than a health practitioner, police officer, or educator or human service worker who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect shall:

• If the person has reason to believe the child has been subjected to abuse, notify the local Department of Human Services or the appropriate law enforcement agency; or
• If the person has reason to believe the child has been subjected to neglect, notify the local Department.

• Suffering physical or emotional injury resulting from abuse inflicted upon him which causes harm or substantial risk of harm to the child's health or welfare including sexual abuse;
• Suffering from neglect, including malnutrition; or
• Who is determined to be physically dependent upon an addictive drug at birth;

shall immediately report such condition to the Department of Social Services by oral communication and by making a written report within 48 hours after such oral communication.

Whenever such person so required to report is a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private institution, school or facility, he shall immediately either notify the Department of Social Services or notify the person in charge of such institution, school or facility, or that person's designated agent, whereupon such person in charge or his said agent shall then become responsible to make the report. Any such hospital personnel preparing such report, may take or cause to be taken, photographs of the areas of trauma visible on a child who is the subject of such report without the consent of the child's parents or guardians. All such photographs or copies thereof shall be sent to the Department together with such report.

In addition to those persons required to report pursuant to the reporting laws, any other person may make such a report if any such person has reasonable cause to believe that a child is suffering from or has died as a result of such abuse or neglect.

The required reports shall contain:

• The names and addresses of the child and his parents or other person responsible for his care, if known;
• The child's age;
• The child's sex;
• The nature and extent of the child's injuries, abuse, maltreatment, or neglect, including any evidence of prior injuries, abuse, maltreatment, or neglect;
• The circumstances under which the person required to report first became aware of the child's injuries, abuse, maltreatment, or neglect;
• Whatever action, if any, was taken to treat, shelter, or otherwise assist the child;
• The name of the person or persons making such report; and
• Any other information which the person reporting believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of the injuries; the identity of the person or persons responsible therefor; and such other information as shall be required by the Department of Social Services.

Within 60 days of the receipt of a report by the Department of Social Services from any person required to report, the Department shall notify such person, in writing, of its determination of the nature, extent and cause or causes of the injuries to the child, and the social services that the Department intends to provide to the child or his family.

The Department of Social Services shall investigate and evaluate the information reported under the reporting laws. Said investigation and evaluation shall commence within two hours of initial contact and be completed within 24 hours if the Department has reasonable cause to believe the child's health or safety is in immediate danger from further abuse and neglect.

The Department of Social Services shall notify in writing the district attorney for the county in which the child resides and for the county in which the offense occurred by transmitting to such district attorney a copy of the report required under the reporting laws, if after an investigation and evaluation, the Department has reasonable cause to believe that any of the following conditions has resulted from abuse or neglect; provided, however, that the Department may immediately report cases of serious physical injury to the appropriate office of the district attorney:

• A child has died;
• A child has been sexually assaulted;
• A child has suffered brain damage, loss or substantial impairment of a bodily function or organ, or substantial disfigurement;
• A child has been sexually exploited, which shall mean encouraging a child to engage in prostitution or in the obscene or pornographic photographing, filming, or depicting of a child;
• A child has suffered serious physical abuse or injury that includes, but is not limited to:
  - A fracture of any bone, severe burn, impairment of any organ, or any other serious injury;
  - An injury requiring the child to be placed on life-support systems;
  - Any other disclosure of physical abuse involving physical evidence which may be destroyed;
  - Any current disclosure by the child of sexual assault; or
  - The presence of physical evidence of sexual assault.

The Department shall forward to the local law enforcement authorities in the town in which the child resides and the town in which the offense occurred a copy of the report provided to the district attorney.

The Department of Social Services shall notify in writing the Office for Children by transmitting to said office a copy of the reports made under the reporting laws if and when such report alleges that abuse or neglect occurred at a facility operated by a person subject to licensure or approval by said office, and when the Department has substantiated said reports. The Department and Office may coordinate their activities and share information. No provision of law shall prohibit the Department from transmitting a copy of the reports prepared under the reporting laws, or from conducting coordinated activities and sharing information with said Office, or from having its employees testify at administrative hearings held by said Office. The Department and the Office for Children shall make all reasonable efforts to minimize the number of interviews of any child-victim which may be necessary.

The Department of Social Services shall notify in writing the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Mental Retardation, the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Youth Services by transmitting to any of said departments a copy of the reports made under the reporting laws if and when that report alleges that abuse or neglect occurred at a facility owned, operated or funded, in whole or in part, by any of said departments, and when the Department of Social Services has substantiated said reports. The Department of Social Services and any of said departments may coordinate their respective activities conducted under this section, and shall make all reasonable efforts to minimize the number of interviews of any child-victim which may be necessary.

In all cases in which the Department of Social Services determines that a report of abuse or neglect is not substantiated, the Department shall notify in writing any and all sources or recipients of information in connection with the investigation that the report of abuse or neglect has not been substantiated, unless the target of the investigation requests that such notification not occur.

If the reporting person is a member of the staff of a hospital, agency, or school, the reporting person shall notify the person in charge of the hospital, agency, or school of his or her finding and that the report has been made, and shall make a copy of the written report available to the person in charge. One report from a hospital, agency, or school shall be considered adequate to meet the reporting requirement. A member of the staff of a hospital, agency, or school shall not be dismissed or otherwise penalized for making a report required by this act or for cooperating in an investigation.

The written report shall contain:

• The name of the child and a description of the abuse or neglect;
• If possible, the names and addresses of the child's parents, the child's guardian, the persons with whom the child resides, and the child's age
• Other information available to the reporting person which might establish the cause of the abuse or neglect, and the manner in which the abuse or neglect occurred.

The Department shall inform the reporting person of the required contents of the written report at the time the oral report is made by the reporting person.

The written report required in this section shall be mailed or otherwise transmitted to the county Department of Social Services of the county in which the child suspected of being abused or neglected is found.

Upon receipt of a written report of suspected child abuse or neglect, the Department may provide copies to the prosecuting attorney and the probate court of the counties in which the child suspected of being abused or neglected resides and is found.

If the report or subsequent investigation indicates a violation of the Michigan penal code, or if the report or subsequent investigation indicates that the suspected abuse was not committed by a person responsible for the child's health or welfare, and the Department believes that the report has basis in fact, the Department shall transmit a copy of the written report and the results of any investigation to the prosecuting attorney of the counties in which the child resides and is found.

If a local law enforcement agency receives a written report of suspected child abuse or neglect, whether from the reporting person or the Department, the report or subsequent investigation indicates that the abuse or neglect was committed by a person responsible for the child's health or welfare, and the local law enforcement agency believes that the report has basis in fact, the local law enforcement agency shall provide a copy of the written report and the results of any investigation to the county Department of Social Services of the county in which the abused or neglected child is found. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to relieve the department of its responsibility to investigate reports of suspected child abuse or neglect under this act.

Any person may voluntarily report to the local welfare agency, agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report, police department, or the county sheriff if the person knows, has reason to believe, or suspects a child is being or has been neglected or subjected to physical or sexual abuse.

An oral report shall be made immediately by telephone or otherwise. An oral report made by a mandated reporter shall be followed within 72 hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays, by a report in writing to the appropriate police department, the county sheriff, the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the reports, or the local welfare agency, unless the appropriate agency has informed the reporter that the oral information does not constitute a report under the law.

The police department or the county sheriff, upon receiving a report, shall immediately notify the local welfare agency or agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report, orally and in writing. The local welfare agency, or agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report, upon receiving a report, shall immediately notify the local police department or the county sheriff orally and in writing. The county sheriff and the head of every local welfare agency, agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report, and police department shall each designate a person within their agency, department, or office who is responsible for ensuring that the notification duties of this statute are carried out.

Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to require more than one report from any institution, facility, school, or agency.

The police department or the county sheriff, upon receiving a report, shall immediately notify the local welfare agency orally and in writing. The local welfare agency, upon receiving a report, shall immediately notify the local police department or the county sheriff orally and in writing.

Written reports received by a police department or the county sheriff shall be forwarded immediately to the local welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report. The police department or the county sheriff may keep copies of reports received by them. Copies of written reports received by a local welfare department or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report shall be forwarded immediately to the local police department or the county sheriff.

If the report alleges neglect, physical abuse, or sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, or individual functioning within the family unit as a person responsible for the child's care, the local welfare agency shall immediately conduct an assessment including gathering information on the existence of substance abuse and offer protective social services for purposes of preventing further abuses, safeguarding and enhancing the welfare of the abused or neglected minor, and preserving family life whenever possible.

If the report alleges a violation of a criminal statute involving sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect or endangerment, the local law enforcement agency and local welfare agency shall coordinate the planning and execution of their respective investigation and assessment efforts to avoid a duplication of fact-finding efforts and multiple interviews. Each agency shall prepare a separate report of the results of its investigation. In cases of alleged child maltreatment resulting in death, the local agency may rely on the fact-finding efforts of a law enforcement investigation to make a determination of whether or not maltreatment occurred. When necessary the local welfare agency shall seek authority to remove the child from the custody of a parent, guardian, or adult with whom the child is living. In performing any of these duties, the local welfare agency shall maintain appropriate records.

If the assessment indicates there is a potential for abuse of alcohol or other drugs by the parent, guardian, or person responsible for the child's care, the local welfare agency shall conduct a chemical use assessment. The local welfare agency shall report the determination of the chemical use assessment, and the recommendations and referrals for alcohol and other drug treatment services to the state authority on alcohol and drug abuse.

When a local agency receives a report or otherwise has information indicating that a child who is a client has been the subject of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect at an agency, facility, or program, it shall, in addition to its other duties under this section, immediately inform the ombudsman. The Commissioner of Children, Families, and Learning shall inform the ombudsman of reports regarding a child client that maltreatment occurred at a school.

A person mandated to report physical or sexual child abuse or neglect occurring within a licensed facility shall report the information to the agency responsible for licensing the facility. A health or corrections agency receiving a report may request the local welfare agency to provide assistance. A board or other entity whose licensees perform work within a school facility, upon receiving a complaint of alleged maltreatment, shall provide information about the circumstances of the alleged maltreatment to the Commissioner of Children, Families, and Learning.

Any person mandated to report shall receive a summary of the disposition of any report made by that reporter, including whether the case has been opened for child protection or other services, or if a referral has been made to a community organization, unless release would be detrimental to the best interests of the child. Any person who is not mandated to report shall, upon request to the local welfare agency, receive a concise summary of the disposition of any report made by that reporter, unless release would be detrimental to the best interests of the child.

For purposes of this subdivision, "immediately" means as soon as possible but in no event longer than 24 hours.

If requested, the local welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report shall inform the reporter within 10 days after the report is made, either orally or in writing, whether the report was accepted for assessment or investigation.

Any report shall be of sufficient content to identify:

• The child;
• Any person believed to be responsible for the abuse or neglect of the child if the person is known;
• The nature and extent of the abuse or neglect; and
• The name and address of the reporter.

The Department of Human Services shall immediately make a referral to the youth court intake unit, which unit shall promptly comply with §43-21-357. Where appropriate, the Department of Human Service