Child Abuse and Neglect

The information on this page is a brief summary. For additional guidance, please review Policy 414: Mandatory Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse.

The Minnesota Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting Law requires school personnel to report if they know or have reason to believe a child is being or has been, abused in the past three years. Failure to report child abuse is a misdemeanor and punishable by law. A report of child abuse made in good faith provides one with immunity from legal action. Child abuse may include physical abuse including mental injury, sexual abuse, neglect or threatened injury. All school personnel are required to report known or suspected cases of child abuse and/or neglect.