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I <br /> r <br /> MASSACHUSETTS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTING STATUTE <br /> Chapter 119, Section 5 1 A <br /> Any physician, medical intern, hospital personnel engaged in the examination, care of <br /> treatment of persons, medical examiner, dentist, nurse, chiropractor, podiatrist, osteopath, <br /> public or private school teacher, educational administrator, guidance or family counselor, day <br /> care probation robation officer, social worker, foster parent or policeman, who, in his <br /> professional capacity shall have reasonable cause to believe that a child under the age of <br /> eighteen years is suffering serious physical or emotional injury resulting from abuse inflicted <br /> upon him including sexual abuse, or from neglect including malnutrition, or who is determined I, <br /> to be physically dependent upon an addictive drug at birth, shall immediately report such <br /> condition to the department by oral communication; provided, however, that whenever such I, <br /> person so required to report is a member of the staff of a medical or other public or private <br /> department or notify institution, school or facility, he shall immediately either notify the de p the <br /> Person in charge or his said agent shall then become responsible to make the report in the <br /> manner required by this section. <br /> Any such person so required to make such oral and written reports who fails to do so shall be <br /> punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars. <br /> Said report shall contain: <br /> The name and addresses of the child and his parents or other person responsible for his <br /> care, if known; the child's age; the child's sex; the nature and extent of the child's injuries, <br /> abuse, maltreatment, or neglect, (including any evidence of prior injuries, abuse, <br /> maltreatment or neglect); the circumstances under which the person required to report first <br /> became aware of the child's injuries, abuse, maltreatment or neglect; whatever action, if <br /> any, was taken to treat, shelter, or otherwise assist the child; the name of the person or <br /> person making such report; and any other information which the person reporting believes <br /> might be helpful in establishing the cause of the injuries; the identity of the person or <br /> persons responsible therefore; and such other information as shall be required by the <br /> department. <br /> Any person required to report under this section who has reasonable cause to believe that a <br /> child has died as a result of any of the conditions listed in said paragraph shall report said death <br /> to the department and to the district attorney for the county in which such death occurred and <br /> to the medical examiners as required by section six of chapter thirty-eight. Any such person <br /> who fails to make such a report shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand <br /> dollars. <br /> In addition to those persons required to report pursuant to this section, any other person may <br /> make such a report if any such person has REASONABLE CAUSE to believe that a child is <br /> suffering or has died as a result of such abuse or neglect. No person so required to report shall <br /> be liable in any civil or criminal action by reason of such report. No other person making such <br /> a report shall be liable in any civil or criminal action by reason of such report if it was made in <br /> good faith. <br /> 39 <br />