§ 12-18-402 - Mandated reporters. - Arkansas Statutes

12-18-402. Mandated reporters.

(a) An individual listed as a mandated reporter under subsection (b) of this section shall immediately notify the Child Abuse Hotline if he or she:

(1) Has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has:

(A) Been subjected to child maltreatment; or

(B) Died as a result of child maltreatment; or

(2) Observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in child maltreatment.

(b) The following individuals are mandated reporters under this chapter:

(1) A child care worker or foster care worker;

(2) A coroner;

(3) A day care center worker;

(4) A dentist;

(5) A dental hygienist;

(6) A domestic abuse advocate;

(7) A domestic violence shelter employee;

(8) A domestic violence shelter volunteer;

(9) An employee of the Department of Human Services;

(10) An employee working under contract for the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services;

(11) A foster parent;

(12) A judge;

(13) A law enforcement official;

(14) A licensed nurse;

(15) Medical personnel who may be engaged in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of persons;

(16) A mental health professional;

(17) An osteopath;

(18) A peace officer;

(19) A physician;

(20) A prosecuting attorney;

(21) A resident intern;

(22) A school counselor;

(23) A school official;

(24) A social worker;

(25) A surgeon;

(26) A teacher;

(27) A court-appointed special advocate program staff member or volunteer;

(28) A juvenile intake or probation officer;

(29) A clergy member, which includes a minister, priest, rabbi, accredited Christian Science practitioner, or other similar functionary of a religious organization, or an individual reasonably believed to be so by the person consulting him or her, except to the extent the clergy member:

(A) Has acquired knowledge of suspected child maltreatment through communications required to be kept confidential pursuant to the religious discipline of the relevant denomination or faith; or

(B) Received the knowledge of the suspected child maltreatment from the alleged offender in the context of a statement of admission;

(30) An employee of a child advocacy center or a child safety center;

(31) An attorney ad litem in the course of his or her duties as an attorney ad litem;

(32) (A) A sexual abuse advocate or sexual abuse volunteer who works with a victim of sexual abuse as an employee of a community-based victim service or mental health agency such as Safe Places, United Family Services, or Centers for Youth and Families.

(B) A sexual abuse advocate or sexual abuse volunteer includes a paid or volunteer sexual abuse advocate who is based with a local law enforcement agency;

(33) A rape crisis advocate or rape crisis volunteer;

(34) (A) A child abuse advocate or child abuse volunteer who works with a child victim of abuse or maltreatment as an employee of a community-based victim service or a mental health agency such as Safe Places, United Family Services, or Centers for Youth and Families.

(B) A child abuse advocate or child abuse volunteer includes a paid or volunteer sexual abuse advocate who is based with a local law enforcement agency;

(35) A victim/witness coordinator; or

(36) A victim assistance professional or victim assistance volunteer.

(c) (1) A privilege or contract shall not prevent a person from reporting child maltreatment when he or she is a mandated reporter and required to report under this section.

(2) A school, Head Start program, or day care facility shall not prohibit an employee or a volunteer from directly reporting child maltreatment to the Child Abuse Hotline.

(3) A school, Head Start program, or day care facility shall not require an employee or a volunteer to obtain permission or notify any person, including an employee or a supervisor, before reporting child maltreatment to the Child Abuse Hotline.