Mandated Reporter Training and Resources

The Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, or CANRA (California Penal Code, Sections 11164-11174.3) requires employees who may have direct contact with or supervise children under 18 in the course of their professional duties to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect.

AB 1963 adds human resource employees and any adults whose duties require direct contact with and supervision of minors in performing the minors’ responsibilities in the workplace for businesses with five or more employees that employ minors.

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Failure to comply with CANRA reporting requirements subjects a mandated reporter to criminal and civil penalties.

California Penal Code, Section 11165.7(a) provides a complete list of positions defined as mandated reporters. Thoroughly reviewing the list of positions and identifying your agency’s mandated reporters is advised. Employers must provide mandated reporters with a statement informing them of their obligations under the law (Penal Code §§ 11165.7, subdivision (c)(1); 11166.5, subdivision (a)).

Based on the face of the statute, the language may be perceived as ambiguous, and thus, interpretations may vary. Therefore, as a best risk management practice and to ensure that employees understand their responsibilities under the law, the California JPIA recommends that all designated mandated reporters receive child abuse and neglect identification and reporting training.

According to AB 1963, employers with five or more employees that employ minors must include training in child abuse and neglect identification and child abuse and neglect reporting.

Free mandated reporter training for general, childcare, law enforcement, and volunteers is available through the Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training Project, funded by the California Department of Social Services and Office of Child Abuse Prevention. The California JPIA also offers instructor-led mandated reporter training. See below for details.

Classroom and Virtual Classroom Training

Mandated Reporter Training

This course provides participants with information and training related to the legal obligation of specific individuals to report the suspected abuse and neglect of children, seniors, and dependent adults. Training participants will learn about the types of abuse, signs of abuse, reporting obligations and procedures, protections afforded to mandated reporters, and ramifications of failing to report. A virtual option is also available for this session.

Mandated Reporter Training for Children’s Programs

This course provides participants with information and training related to the legal obligation of specific individuals to report the suspected abuse and neglect of children. Participants will learn about the types of abuse, signs of abuse, reporting obligations and procedures, protections afforded to mandated reporters, and ramifications of failing to report.

Resources

Mandated reporting policy templates are available in the resource library and are currently under review for updates. A separate notice will be released when the updated documents are available.

The California JPIA is committed to assisting member agencies and employees in following the requirements and understanding responsibilities under the law. The policy templates are intended to identify employees who are required to report child, elder, or dependent adult abuse under the law, set forth the timeline and procedures for making reports, identify safeguards for reporting parties, determine penalties for failing to comply with reporting obligations and establish additional obligations of the member and its employees and volunteers.

If you have questions, please contact your regional senior risk manager.

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