Making and Screening Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect: Summary of State Laws

All 50 States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have laws and policies that specify procedures for making and responding to reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. All States require mandated reporters to make an immediate report when they suspect or know of abusive or neglectful situations. In all jurisdictions, the initial report may be made orally to either the child protective services (CPS) agency or a law enforcement agency.