California asserts that mandated reporters communicate about any visible suspected or proven scenario that a child is neglected or abused. They should do so to law enforcement agencies within their vicinity within a short time. California law dictates that patients cannot refuse reporting and it does not infringe their rights. They should communicate this incident where it happened as soon as practicality allows (OCAP, 2022). Individuals are required to submit a report in the written form within two days. If a mandated reporter does not report reasonably suspicious behavior involving child neglect or abuse, they may be deemed guilty and charged with a misdemeanor that may result in a 6-month term in a county jail, a fine of $1,000, or both (OCAP, 2022). A person is classified as a mandated reporter if they are bound by law to communicate about any child maltreatment practice. These individuals are mostly those with child contact via employment.
Every individual should inform law enforcement agencies if hey determine that a child is experiencing neglect or abuse. However, some professions put people in positions where they work directly with children. Professionals in these fields can be held liable if they do not report these issues to the government. This list is evidenced in California’s Penal Code section 11165.7 (California Department of Education, 2021). It is important to note the distinction between mandated reporting and voluntarily doing so as firefighters are required to communicate if they notice such issues. In contrast, voluntary firefighters do not have such responsibilities. The main intent of this law is to protect children while providing an opportunity to aid the family. Parents under stress might fail to seek help directly or cannot access help. It could help change a home environment and reduce the risk of neglect or abuse.
References
California Department of Education. (2021). Child abuse identification & reporting guidelines. Child Abuse Identification & Reporting Guidelines – Child Abuse Prevention Training and Resources (CA Dept of Education). Web.
OCAP. (2022). FAQ. Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training. Web.