ALABAMA MANDATORY REPORTING LAWS
MANDATORY REPORTING LAWS
Professionals required to report
Citation: Ala. Code § 26-14-3
Reports are required from all of the following:
• Hospitals, clinics, sanitariums, doctors, physicians, surgeons, medical examiners, coroners, dentists, osteopaths, optometrists, chiropractors, podiatrists, pharmacists, physical therapists, and nurses
• Public and private K–12 employees, teachers, and school officials
• Peace officers and law enforcement officials
• Social workers
• Daycare workers or employees
• Mental health professionals
• Employees of public and private institutions of postsecondary and higher education
• Members of the clergy
• Any other person called upon to render aid or medical assistance to a child
Other persons required to report
Citation: Ala. Code § 26-14-4
Any other person who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is being abused or neglected may report.
Institutional responsibility to report
Citation: Ala. Code § 26-14-3
A public or private employer who discharges, suspends, disciplines, or penalizes an employee solely for reporting suspected child
abuse or neglect pursuant to this section shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor.
WHAT ARE THEY REQUIRED TO REPORT
Citation: Ala. Code § 26-14-3
A report must be made when the child is known or suspected of being a victim of abuse or neglect.
PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO REPORT
Citation: Ala. Code §§ 26-14-3(g); 26-14-13
Commencing on August 1, 2013, a public or private employer who discharges, suspends, disciplines, or penalizes an employee solely for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect pursuant to this section shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor. Any person who knowingly fails to make the report required by the reporting laws shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be
punished by a sentence of not more than 6 months imprisonment or a fine of not more than $500.
PENALTIES FOR FALSE REPORTING
This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.
PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS
Citation: Ala. Code §§ 26-14-3; 26-14-10
Only clergy-penitent and attorney-client privileges are permitted.
REPORTER’S IDENTITY
Inclusion of Reporter’s Name in Report
The reporter is not specifically required by statute to provide his or her name in the report.
Disclosure of Reporter Identity
Citation: Ala. Code § 26-14-8
The department will not release the identity of the reporter except under court order when the court has determined that the reporter knowingly made a false report.