The Michigan Child Protection Law requires certain professionals to report their suspicions of child abuse or neglect to Children's Protective Services (CPS) at the Department of Human Services (DHS). These people are mandated reporters and have established relationships with children based on their profession. Mandated reporters include:

• Physicians.
• Dentists.
• Physician's assistants.
• Registered dental hygienists.
• Medical examiners.
• Nurses.
• Licensed emergency medical care providers.
• Audiologists.
• Psychologists.
• Marriage and family therapists.
• Licensed professional counselors.
• Social workers.
• Licensed master's social workers.
• Licensed bachelor's social workers.
• Registered social service technicians.
• Social service technicians.
• Persons employed in a professional capacity in any office of the Friend of the Court.
• School administrators.
• School counselors.
• Teachers.
• Law enforcement officers.
• Members of the clergy.
• Regulated child care providers.
• Employees of an organization or entity that, as a result of federal funding statutes, regulations, or contracts,
  would be prohibited from reporting in the absence of a state mandate or court order (e.g., domestic violence provider).

Specific staff members of the Department of Human Services also have a legal mandate to report suspected child abuse or neglect. These staff members include:

• Eligibility specialists.
• Family independence manager or specialists.
• Social services specialists.
• Social work specialists.
• Social work specialist managers.
• Welfare services specialists.

How To Make A Report of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect

Mandated reporters are required to make an immediate verbal report to CPS and a written report within 72 hours when the mandated reporter suspects child abuse or neglect. Mandated reporters must also notify the head of their organization of the report. Reporting the suspected allegations of child abuse and/or neglect to the head of the organization does not fulfill the requirement to report directly to DHS.

The verbal report can be completed by calling toll free (800) 942-4357 or calling the local county DHS children's protective services unit.

The individual who had contact with the child must complete the call and provide as much detail as possible about the following information:

• The child's primary caretaker, including name and address.
• Names and birth dates for all members of the household.
• Name and birth date of the alleged perpetrator(s).
• Whether the alleged perpetrator lives with the child.
• Address where the alleged abuse or neglect occurred.
• What makes the mandated reporter suspect the child is being abused or neglected.

The Child Protection Law requires that the written report include the following information:

• Name of child.
• Description of abuse or neglect.
• Names and addresses of child's parents/guardians.
• The persons with whom the child resides.
• Child's age.
• Other information available to the reporting person that might establish the cause
  of the abuse or neglect, and the manner in which the abuse or neglect occurred. 

DHS encourages the use of the Report of Actual or Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect (DHS-3200) form when filing the written report, which includes all the information required under the law.

Confidentiality of a Mandated Reporter's Identity

The identity of a reporting person is confidential under the Child Protection Law. The identity of a reporting person is subject to disclosure only with the consent of that person, by judicial process or to those listed under Section 5 of the Child Protection Law (MCL 722.625).

Civil and Criminal Liability

Mandated reporters, who fail to file a report of suspected child abuse or neglect, will be subject to both civil and criminal liability. In a civil action, the mandated reporter may be held liable for all damages that any person suffers due to the mandated reporter's failure to file a report. In a criminal action, the mandated reporter may be found guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 93 days and a fine of $500. 

A person making a good faith report is protected from civil and criminal prosecution and cannot be penalized for making the report or cooperating with a CPS investigation.

Mandated Reporter Hotline

If a mandated reporter is dissatisfied with the response by DHS, the mandated reporter may contact the Mandated Reporter Hotline at (877) 277-2585. Prior to calling the hotline, the mandated reporter must first attempt to talk with the local DHS office director about their concerns.

Mandated Reporter ' s Resource Guide

View the  Mandated Reporter's Resource Guide for more detailed information.