Unlawful restriction of child abuse reporting

1. Law
2. Arkansas Code
3. Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, and Military Affairs
4. Law Enforcement Agencies and Programs
5. Child Maltreatment Act
6. Offenses and Penalties
7. Unlawful restriction of child abuse reporting

1. (a)

   1. (1) An employer or supervisor of an employee identified as a mandated reporter commits the offense of unlawful restriction of child abuse reporting if he or she:

      1. (A) Prohibits a mandated reporter under this chapter from making a report of child maltreatment or suspected child maltreatment to the Child Abuse Hotline;

      2. (B) Requires that a mandated reporter under this chapter receive permission or notify a person before the mandated reporter makes a report of child maltreatment or suspected child maltreatment to the Child Abuse Hotline; or

      3. (C) Knowingly retaliates against a mandated reporter under this chapter for reporting child maltreatment or suspected child maltreatment to the Child Abuse Hotline.

   2. (2)

      1. (A) Nothing in this section shall prohibit any person or institution from requiring a mandatory reporter employed or serving as a volunteer for a person or institution to inform a representative of that person or institution that the reporter has made a report to the Child Abuse Hotline.

      2. (B) Information disclosed to a person or institution under subdivision (a)(2)(A) of this section shall not be shared outside the organization and may only be shared within the organization to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the child.

2. (b) Unlawful restriction of child abuse reporting is a Class A misdemeanor.

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