Any person who suspects that a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected shall immediately report the suspected abuse or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency.__If a law enforcement agency receives such a report it shall immediately report, to the department.

A. Whenever a person is required to report in a capacity as a member of the staff of a medical or public or private institution, agency or facility, that person shall immediately notify either the person in charge of the institution, agency or facility, or a designated agent, who shall then cause a report to be made. The staff may also make a report directly to the department.

B. Any person may make a report if that person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected.

D. When, while acting in a professional capacity, any person required to report under this section knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected by a person not responsible for the child, the person shall immediately report or cause a report to be made to the appropriate district attorney's office.

SUMMARY

This bill imposes a duty on every person to report suspected cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation of an incapacitated, dependent or elderly adult or of any child to either the Department of Human Services or a law enforcement agency. The bill repeals the laws authorizing optional reporting of abuse. The bill does not alter immunity provisions for making such reports that exist under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, sections 3479-A and 4014.