Code Number: 405.8
In compliance with state law and to provide protection to victims of child abuse, incidents of suspected child abuse should be reported to the proper authorities.
All licensed school employees, as well as certified para-educators and holders of coaching authorizations, are mandatory reporters under Iowa law and, therefore, are required to report suspected incidents of child abuse to the Department of Human Services when, in the scope of their professional practice or their employment responsibilities, they examine, attend, counsel, or treat a child and reasonably believe the child has suffered abuse. Any other District employee who believes a child has been abused may, and is encouraged to, make a report. A school employee who is a mandatory reporter within the scope of their employment is a permissive reporter when acting outside the scope of their profession or employment. Within one month of initial employment, all mandatory reporters employed by the District will receive a statement of the abuse reporting requirements.
General Reporting Requirement
When a mandatory reporter, in the course of their professional practice or their employment responsibilities, examines, attends, counsels, or treats a child and reasonably believes a child has suffered 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 abuse 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, local law enforcement should also be notified.
General Training Requirements
Initial and ongoing training requirements for District staff who are mandatory reporters will be completed in accordance with state law. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall ensure compliance with these training requirements.
Immunity from Liability
A person participating in good faith in the making of a report or aiding and assisting in an assessment of a child abuse report, including by allowing confidential access to a student, shall have immunity from any liability, civil, or criminal, which might otherwise be incurred or imposed.
- First Adoption:
- 1984-06-26
- Revision Adoption:
- September 26, 1995/ March 28, 2000/ November 23, 2009/ February 11, 2013/ December 12, 2016/ August 24, 2020
- Reviewed Dates:
- July 21, 2020
- Legal Reference:
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Iowa Code ยงยง 232.67-.77; 232A; 235A
441 I.A.C. 9.4(6); 175