Mandated reporting of child abuse and of elder or dependent-adult abuse
Whether an OT, PT, SLP, or assistant must report suspected abuse, to whom, and how is decided by state law, not by a single federal rule. Federal sources describe the framework: the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act requires each state to have provisions for requiring certain individuals to report suspected child abuse and neglect, and federal Adult Protective Services regulations define a mandated reporter as someone required by state law to report suspected adult maltreatment. This page quotes those federal sources. It does not list any state’s rules and is not legal advice.
Quoted from official pages checked November 10, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.
Sources read on November 10, 2026: Child Welfare Information Gateway’s Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect page and its publication (PDF; State Statutes Series, current through May 2023), 45 CFR Part 1324 on eCFR (up to date as of November 6, 2026), the Administration for Community Living’s final rule page for APS programs, its APS Technical Assistance Resource Center and APS fact sheet (PDF), HHS’s answer How do I report elder abuse (content last reviewed March 14, 2024), and the Justice Department’s Elder Justice Initiative page. No penalty amounts are copied.
Children: what the federal framework says
Child Welfare Information Gateway’s publication states: “The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) requires each State to have provisions or procedures for requiring certain individuals to report known or suspected instances of child abuse and neglect.” It says: “Individuals designated as mandatory reporters typically have frequent contact with children.” Among the groups most commonly mandated across the states, it lists “Physicians, nurses, and other health-care workers” and “Teachers, principals, and other school personnel”.
It states: “In all States, Territories, and the District of Columbia, any person is permitted to report when they have reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect.” On the standard: “The circumstances under which a mandatory reporter must make a report vary from State to State. Typically, a report must be made when the reporter, in their official capacity, suspects or has reason to believe that a child has been abused or neglected.”
On reporting inside an institution such as a school or hospital, it states: “Many institutions have internal policies and procedures for handling reports of maltreatment”. The Gateway’s web page says the publication presents “a general overview of this aspect of child welfare law” and that summaries for each state are available from its State Statutes Search. Its web page labels the publication FY25; the PDF says it is current through May 2023. Both are given as shown.
Older adults and adults with disabilities: APS
ACL’s APS resource center states: “Adult protective services (APS) is a social services program provided by state and local governments serving older adults and adults with disabilities who need assistance because of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation (adult maltreatment).” It states: “In all states, APS is charged with receiving and responding to reports of adult maltreatment”.
The federal APS regulations, at 45 CFR 1324.401, define the term: “Mandated reporter means someone who works with an adult in the course of their professional duties and who is required by State law to report suspected adult maltreatment or self-neglect to APS.” ACL’s rule page states: “On May 7, 2024, ACL published a final rule to establish the first-ever federal regulations for adult protective services. The regulations took effect on June 7, 2024, but regulated entities have until May 8, 2028 to fully comply.”
ACL’s fact sheet states: “In nearly every state there are certain professions that are required by law to report concerns of maltreatment (called ‘mandatory reporting’). Some states require all citizens to report concerns.” It also states: “APS responds to reports of elder/vulnerable adult abuse in private homes in every state; in about half the states they also investigate reports in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.”
HHS’s answer states: “The laws in most states require helping professions in the front lines -- such as doctors and home health providers -- to report suspected abuse or neglect. These professionals are called mandated reporters.” It also states: “Call the police or 9-1-1 immediately if someone you know is in immediate, life-threatening danger.” The Justice Department’s Elder Justice Initiative page describes the department’s work against elder abuse, neglect, and financial fraud and links resources for older victims.
Where to check your own duty
Because state law decides who must report and how, check your state’s statute, your state licensing board, and your employer’s policy. Ethics codes are on codes of ethics. School, home health, and nursing home settings are on working in schools, working in home health, and working in nursing homes.
What this page does not do
It does not say whether any person is a mandated reporter in any state, how fast a report must be made, or what happens for failing to report, and it copies no penalties. It is not legal, billing, or compliance advice. Confirm current rules with the agency that publishes them, your employer, and your state board.