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Connecticut

Who is mandated to report?

Are all health clinicians mandated to report?

  • Yes.

Who else is a mandated reporter?

  • Physician assistants
  • Pharmacists
  • Psychologists
  • Social workers
  • Emergency medical services providers

For more information, refer to Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect at the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

When is the reporting duty triggered?

What is the standard?

  • A report is required when, in the ordinary course of his or her employment or profession, a reporter has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child under age 18:
    • Has been abused or neglected
    • Has had a nonaccidental physical injury or an injury that is at variance with the history given of the injury
    • Is placed at imminent risk of serious harm.

For more information, refer to Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect at the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

What must be reported?

How does state law define child abuse and neglect for reporting purposes?

  • Mandated reporters must report abuse, neglect, non-accidental physical injury, or imminent risk of serious harm as defined in Connecticut statutes 17a-101a and 46b-120 and any case law and other legal guidance interpreting the statutes.
  • Abuse: A child or youth may be found “abused” who:
    • Has been inflicted with physical injury or injuries other than by accidental means
    • Has injuries that are at variance with the history given of them, or
    • Is in a condition that is the result of maltreatment, including, but not limited to,
      • Malnutrition,
      • Sexual molestation or exploitation,
      • Deprivation of necessities,
      • Emotional maltreatment or cruel punishment
  • Neglect: A child or youth may be found “neglected” who, for reasons other than being impoverished:
    • Has been abandoned,
    • Is being denied proper care and attention, physically, educationally, emotionally or morally, or
    • Is being permitted to live under conditions, circumstances or associations injurious to the well-being of the child or youth

Are child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, statutory rape, incest, intimate partner violence, sexual exploitation and/or trafficking of a minor reportable as child abuse or neglect and if so, how are they defined and what is reportable?

For the most current definitions of abuse and neglect, refer to the Connecticut Statutes. For indicators of abuse and neglect, refer to the Connecticut State Department of Children and Families.

How to report:

What is the method of reporting?

  • A mandated reporter who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected shall make an oral report, by telephone or in person, not later than 12 hours after the reporter has cause to suspect.
  • No later than 48 hours after making an oral report, a mandated reporter shall submit a written report to the Commissioner of Children and Families.

For more information, refer to Making and Screening Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect at the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

What is the timeline in which to report?

  • Not later than 12 hours after the reporter has cause to suspect. No later than 48 hours after making an oral report, a written report must be submitted to the Commissioner of Children and Families.

For more information, refer to Making and Screening Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect at the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

To whom are reports made?

  • The Commissioner of Children and Families shall establish and operate the telephone Careline for child abuse and neglect that shall be dedicated to receive reports of child abuse or neglect and to provide information concerning child abuse or neglect. The Careline shall accept all reports of child abuse or neglect regardless of the relationship of the alleged perpetrator to the child who is the alleged victim and regardless of the alleged perpetrator's affiliation with any organization or other entity in any capacity.

For more information, refer to Making and Screening Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect at the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

State/County Hotline?

  • Department of Children and Families
  • Toll free: 1-800-842-2288
  • TDD: 1-800-624-5518

Confidentiality:

What federal confidentiality laws apply to health information collected during a Title X visit?

  • Title X regulations 42 CFR 59.11
  • HIPAA 45 CFR 164.502

Is there an exception in federal confidentiality law that allows a clinician to comply with mandatory child abuse reporting laws?

  • Yes.