Policy 5232 - Abused and Neglected Child Reporting

A District employee who has reasonable cause to suspect that a student may be an abused, abandoned or neglected child or who observes a child being subjected to conditions which would reasonably result in abuse, abandonment or neglect shall report such a case to local law enforcement or the Department of Health and Welfare within twenty-four (24) hours. The employee shall notify the Superintendent or Principal that a report has been made by the employee. An employee does not discharge the obligation to personally report by notifying the Superintendent or Principal.

Any District employee who fails to report a suspected case of abuse, abandonment or neglect to the Department of Health and Welfare or local law enforcement, or who prevents another person from doing so, may be civilly liable for the damages proximately caused by such failure or prevention, and is guilty of a misdemeanor. The employee will also be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Legal Reference:
I.C. § 16-1619 Reporting of Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect
I.C. § 16-1620 Immunity

Policy History:
Adopted on:  Nov. 21, 2003
Revised on: