Health care professionals would report suspected child abuse to two agencies

Health care professionals must promptly report suspected child abuse or neglect to both a peace officer and the public children services agency. The duty covers health care professionals acting in an official or professional role who encounter suspected abuse or neglect of a child under eighteen, or a person under twenty-one with a developmental disability or physical impairment. The duty applies when a professional knows or has reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect. When two or more professionals provided care and determine or suspect abuse or neglect, they may choose one professional to report for them; the report must go to both entities. A special reporting route applies in circumstances covered by section 5120.173. The report must be made immediately after the professional knows or has reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect.

A person who fails to make a required report may face a misdemeanor penalty. The penalty applies to a person required to report child abuse or neglect. Failing to report to both entities when both reports are required is covered. The offense is a first-degree misdemeanor if the child suffers or faces the reportable harm while under the offender's direct care or supervision, or under the direct care or supervision of someone the offender supervises professionally; otherwise, it is a fourth-degree misdemeanor.