New Rules for “Mandated Reporters”

The contents of this post may affect teachers in New York State.

• Highlight: Mandated reporters are now all required to make their reports to the State Central Register (SCR) personally.

I received this in an e-mail from the United Federation of Teachers. It concerns teachers’ legal obligations in cases of suspected child abuse. Read it carefully, but treat it as an alert. Get a fuller explanation from your Chapter Leader and your Principal. You might ask both to put this on your next Faculty Conference and your next Chapter Meeting agenda (whichever comes first, or both).

New guidelines for mandated reporters of child abuse

(Full text beneath fold —>)

New guidelines for mandated reporters of child abuse

There has been a recent change in state law that affects all mandated reporters of suspected child abuse or maltreatment, including teachers, guidance counselors, school nurses and school social workers. Mandated reporters are now all required to make their reports to the State Central Register (SCR) personally. Mandated reporters in a school who have direct knowledge of any allegations of suspected child abuse or maltreatment must personally make a report to the SCR. Afterwards, that reporter should notify the principal or his/her designee that a report has been made. The principal or his/her designee is then responsible for all subsequent internal action that must follow such a report.

Call 1-800-635-1522 or 311 to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect. All reports made to the SCR should include the name, title and contact information for every staff person in the school who has direct knowledge of the allegations contained in the report.

No school may take retaliatory action against an employee who made a report to the SCR. A principal or other school supervisor cannot demand that prior approval is necessary before a mandated reporter reports suspected child abuse or maltreatment.

If you have any questions or concerns about this change in state law, please contact your district representative.

This was part of a UFT e-mail alert. It carried Jeff Zahler’s name, but it is quite possible that he is not the author. Treat it as an alert that there has been a change, but please speak to your principal and Chapter Leader for accurate details.

Use this information as a basis for asking questions in your school. I am not and will not verify the accuracy, nor can I interpret exactly what change this brings. I myself will be asking my District Rep for a fuller explanation.