49-6-1601 - Reporting suspected abuse Notice to parent or guardian Confidentiality Publication of requirements. - Tennessee Statutes

49-6-1601. Reporting suspected abuse Notice to parent or guardian Confidentiality Publication of requirements.

(a)  Notwithstanding § 37-5-107 or § 37-1-612 or any other law to the contrary, if a school teacher, school official or any other school personnel has knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect that a child who attends the school may be a victim of child abuse or child sexual abuse sufficient to require reporting pursuant to § 37-1-403 or § 37-1-605 and that the abuse occurred on school grounds or while the child was under the supervision or care of the school, then the principal or other person designated by the school shall verbally notify the parent or legal guardian of the child that a report pursuant to this section has been made and shall provide other information relevant to the future well being of the child while under the supervision or care of the school. The verbal notice shall be made in coordination with the department of children's services to the parent or legal guardian within twenty-four (24) hours from the time the school, school teacher, school official or other school personnel reports the abuse to the department, judge or law enforcement; provided, that in no event may the notice be later than twenty-four (24) hours from the time the report was made. The notice shall not be given to any parent or legal guardian if there is reasonable cause to believe that the parent or legal guardian may be the perpetrator or in any way responsible for the child abuse or child sexual abuse.

(b)  Once notice is given pursuant to this section, the principal or other designated person shall provide to the parent or legal guardian all school information and records relevant to the alleged abuse or sexual abuse, if requested by the parent or legal guardian; provided, that the information is edited to protect the confidentiality of the identity of the person who made the report, any other person whose life or safety may be endangered by the disclosure and any information made confidential pursuant to federal law or § 10-7-504(a)(4). The information and records described in this section shall not include records of other agencies or departments.

(c)  For purposes of this section, “school” means any public or privately operated child care agency, as defined in § 71-3-501, preschool, nursery school, kindergarten, elementary school or secondary school.

(d)  Each LEA shall publish the requirements of this section in the LEA's policies and procedures manual.

[Acts 2009, ch. 283, § 1.]