NEBRASKA
MANDATORY REPORTING LAWS
MANDATORY REPORTING LAWS
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Professionals required to report
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-711
Professionals required to report include the following:
• Physicians, medical institutions, or nurses
• School employees
• Social workers
• The inspector general appointed under § 43-4317
The Office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare was created within the Office of Public Counsel for the purpose of conducting investigations, audits, inspections, and other reviews of the Nebraska child welfare system. The inspector general shall be appointed by the public counsel with approval from the chairperson of the Executive Board of the Legislative Council and the chairperson of the Health and Human Services Committee of the legislature.
Other persons required to report
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-711
All other persons who have reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect must report.
Institutional responsibility to report
This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.
WHAT ARE THEY REQUIRED TO REPORT
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-711
A report is required when either of the following apply:
• A reporter has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect.
• A reporter observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that reasonably would result in abuse or neglect.
PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO REPORT
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-717
Any person who willfully fails to make any report of child abuse or neglect required by § 28-711 shall be guilty of a class III misdemeanor.
PENALTIES FOR FALSE REPORTING
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-716
Any person participating in an investigation, making a report of child abuse or neglect, or participating in a judicial proceeding resulting from a report shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed, except for maliciously false statements.
PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-714
The physician-patient, counselor-client, and husband-wife privileges shall not be grounds for failing to report.
REPORTER’S IDENTITY
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-711
The initial oral report shall include the reporter’s name and address.
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 28-719
The name and address of the reporter shall not be included in any release of information.