CHILD AND DEPENDENT ADULT ABUSE REPORTING
In compliance with state law and to provide protection to victims of child and dependent adult abuse, the Board believes incidents of alleged child or dependent adult abuse should be reported to the proper authorities. Employees are encouraged, and licensed employees are required as mandatory reporters, to report alleged incidents of child or dependent adult abuse they become aware of within the scope of their professional duties. The definition of child or dependent adult abuse is in the accompanying regulation.
When a mandatory reporter suspects a student is the victim of child abuse, the mandatory reporter shall make an oral report of the suspected child abuse to the Iowa Department of Human Services within 24 hours of becoming aware of the abusive incident and shall make a written report to the Iowa Department of Human Services within 48 hours following the oral report. If the mandatory reporter believes the child is in immediate danger, the local law enforcement agency shall also be notified.
Within six months of their initial employment, mandatory reporters shall take a two-hour training course involving the identification and reporting of child abuse or submit evidence they’ve taken the course within the previous three years. After July 1, 2019, employees who have previously taken mandatory reporter training will be required to take the two-hour training course before the expiration of their current training certificate. Once the training course has been taken, the certificate will remain valid for three years. Employees who have taken the post-July 1, 2019 two-hour training course will take the one-hour follow up training course every three years and prior to the expiration of their certificate.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 232.67-.77; 232A; 235A; 280.17 (1995).
441 I.A.C. 9.2; 155; 175.
1982 Op. Att'y Gen. 390, 417.
1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 275.
Cross Reference: 402.3 Abuse of Students by School District Employees
502.9 Interviews of Students by Outside Agencies
507 Student Health and Well-Being
Approved: 2/97 Reviewed: 3/21 Revised: 3/21