Policy JLF: Students: Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

The School Committee intends fully to comply with laws for reporting child abuse and neglect.

Any school official or employee who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, or observes the child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, will immediately report or cause a report to be made to the building principal or his/her designee, who will then become responsible for making a report to the Department of Social Services as required by law.

Any person who, in good faith, participates in making such reports orin any judicial proceeding resulting therefrom will be immune from civil or criminal liability.

It is not the responsibility of the school official or employee who initiated the report to prove that the child has been neglected or abused.

The superintendent will prepare and implement such procedures as are necessary to accomplish the intent of this policy and of the law.

LEGAL REF:

MGL Chapter 119, Section 15.

Region Voted to Approve: 4/19/83
Amherst Voted to Approve: 5/3/83
Pelham Voted to Approve: 5/10/83
Effective Date: 4/19/83