People already required by law to report child abuse or neglect who have direct knowledge of it must now report it to the Department of Child Safety themselves and may not hand that task to someone else, with an exception for health care institution staff.
Official title: duty to report; abuse; neglect
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforeRequired reporters, such as doctors, teachers, clergy and parents, had to immediately report or "cause reports to be made" to a peace officer, the Department of Child Safety, or a tribal agency.
NowA required reporter who has direct knowledge that a minor is or has been abused or neglected must immediately report it to the Department of Child Safety and may not delegate another person to make the report.
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NowThe no-delegation rule does not apply to employees or agents of a health care institution. They may delegate the report to a designated agent if this is reasonably required so they can keep caring for patients or meet standards of care, including duties under state or federal law.
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NowThe law says it does not intend to require more than 1 report from health care institution employees or agents for the same facts and circumstances.
BeforeSchool staff and board members had to report suspected misconduct involving minors by public school employees to local law enforcement. A report to a school resource officer or school safety officer did not count.
NowThose rules stay. In addition, a school resource officer or school safety officer (an off-duty peace officer working at a school) may not supervise, manage or direct a law enforcement investigation into the alleged conduct.
Who it affects
- People legally required to report child abuse or neglect, including doctors, nurses, counselors, teachers and other school staff, clergy, parents, guardians and supervisors
- Employees and agents of health care institutions
- School resource officers and school safety officers
- Department of Child Safety
- Local law enforcement agencies
What you need to do
If you are a required reporter with direct knowledge that a child is or has been abused or neglected, you must immediately report it to the Department of Child Safety yourself, unless the health care institution exception applies. Others need to do nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- What counts as "direct knowledge" compared with a reasonable belief
- Whether a report to a peace officer or tribal agency still meets the duty when the reporter has direct knowledge
- Who may serve as a "designated agent" for health care institution staff
- Whether any separate penalty applies to delegating a report. The text keeps the existing penalty for violating the section: a class 1 misdemeanor, or a class 6 felony if the failure to report involves a reportable offense
- Who must supervise or direct school-related investigations instead of school resource or safety officers
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.