Changes to Mandated Reporting & Filing 51A

A commission appointed by the legislature and led by the Office of the Child Advocate is considering a number of very concerning changes to mandated reporting. Some examples are listed below.

• removing the disability/poverty exceptions to neglect (such that if a child were homeless because the family was poor, that would be neglect)
• adding more people to mandated reporter categories (including folks installing internet and repairing appliances)
• and lowering the standard at which a mandated reporter needs to file to a “reasonable cause to believe.”

If you've had bad experiences with mandated reporting and might want to object to these changes during a public comment period that will be some time in April. Please fill out this google form  if you would be interested in learning more about this. Interpretation services will be provided.