Mandated Reporter Michigan Resource Guide

Mandated reporters are professionals who are required to report suspected abuse and neglect. Michigan’s Child Protection Law sets the state’s mandated reporting guidelines.

This guide is a resource for mandated reporting in Michigan. Discover who needs to report, how to report, and what training requirements are in place.

Guide to Mandated Reporting in Michigan

Who is Considered a Mandated Reporter in Michigan?

Michigan’s mandated reporters are designated by profession in its Child Protection Law. These professionals include:

Medical Professionals

• Physician
• Dentist
• Physician’s assistant
• Registered dental hygienist
• Medical examiner
• Nurse
• Any person licensed to provide emergency medical care
• Audiologist
• Psychologist

Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers

• Physical therapist
• Physical therapist assistant
• Athletic trainer

Therapists, Counselors, and Social Workers

• Occupational therapist
• Marriage and family therapist
• Licensed professional counselor
• Social worker
• Licensed master’s social worker
• Licensed bachelor’s social worker
• Registered social service technician
• Social service technician

• School Personnel and Childcare Providers

• School administrator
• School counselor or teacher
• Regulated childcare provider

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement officers as defined by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards Act 203 of 1965.

Clergy

Clergy members (anyone ordained or recognized as a religious leader by a church, denomination, religious association, or sect).

Family Court and Welfare Employees

Any person employed in a professional capacity in any Office of the Friend of the Court, including:

• Staff member
• Caseworker
• Attorney
• Social worker

The following department employees must make a report to their department, including:

Eligibility specialist

• Family independence manager
• Family independence specialist
• Social services specialist
• Social work specialist
• Social work specialist manager
• Welfare services specialist

Michigan State Laws Supersede Federal Laws that Prevent Reporting

Michigan’s Child Protection Law stipulates that any employee working in a situation where federal laws, regulations, or contracts prevent them from reporting suspected abuse or neglect is still obligated to report if they are mandated to do so under state law unless there is a specific state law or court order that prohibits them from doing so. In other words, Michigan’s state-mandated reporting laws generally supersede federal laws.

Does Michigan Allow Permissive Reporting?

Permissive reporters are citizens who make a report of suspected abuse or neglect out of concern for a potential victim, not because they are mandated to report. In Michigan, permissive reporting is allowed. Michigan’s permissive reporting allows for children to report or self-report as well.

In addition to those persons required to report child abuse or neglect under section 3, any person, including a child, who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect may report the matter to the department or a law enforcement agency.

Michigan Mandated Reporter Training Requirements

Mandated reporter training provides individuals with the knowledge they need to fulfill their legal duties to identify suspected abuse and neglect and to report their concerns.

Find training for mandated reporters.

Are Employers Required to Provide Mandated Reporter Training in Michigan?

An employer or organization that employs a mandatory reporter must provide comprehensive training materials for individuals who are required to report suspected child abuse or child neglect to that employee, per 722.623b (Sec. 3b) of the Child Protection Law.

Mandated Reporting Procedures in Michigan

How do you make a report in Michigan?

Report by Phone

If you suspect abuse or neglect, report it any time day or night online or by calling 855-444-3911

Written Report

After making a verbal report by phone, mandated reporters shall file a written report within 72 hours. MDHHS encourages the use of the Report of Actual or Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect (DHS-3200) form when filing the written report.

Report Online

The Michigan Online Reporting System is a website for mandated reporters to submit complaints of suspected child abuse and neglect to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. If an online report is made, a written DHS-3200 form is not required.

What Should a Report Include?

The written report or a report made using the online reporting system must contain the name of the child and a description of the child abuse or child neglect. If possible, the report shall contain the names and addresses of the child’s parents, the child’s guardian, the persons with whom the child resides, and the child’s age.

The report shall contain other information available to the reporting person that might establish the cause of the child abuse or child neglect and how the child abuse or child neglect occurred.

Documents can be uploaded to the online report.

Does Michigan Have Time Requirements for Reporting Abuse?

Michigan’s Child Protection Law establishes a timeline for reporting suspected abuse or neglect, including:

Immediately: Teachers, school counselors, and school administrators are required to make an immediate report to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) by telephone (855-444-3911) or online.

Within 72 hours: Within 72 hours after making an oral report by telephone to centralized intake, the reporting person shall file a written report. (The written report is not required if an online report was made.)

Following a report: If the reporting person is a member of the staff of a hospital, agency, or school, the reporting person shall notify the person in charge of the hospital, agency, or school of his or her finding and that the report has been made. The mandated reporter must make a copy of the written or electronic report available to the person in charge of their hospital, school, or agency. One report from a hospital, agency, or school is adequate to meet the reporting requirement.

Protections for Mandated Reporters

Mandated reporters cannot be dismissed or otherwise penalized for making a report required or for cooperating in an investigation. The Child Protection Law protects mandated reporters against retaliation or from being penalized for performing their duties. As long as the report was made in good faith, a Michigan mandated reporter is immune from civil or criminal liability.

What are the Penalties for Failing to Report?

Mandated reporters in Michigan who fail to report suspected child abuse or neglect can face criminal penalties, including jail time, fines, or both.

Failing to report suspected abuse also removes civil liability protections from a mandated reporter. If a child is abused and you fail to report it, you could be liable for damages for your failure to act.

Michigan’s Child Protection Law

Michigan’s Child Protection Law, Act 238 of 1975, outlines the reporting of child abuse and neglect by certain persons to safeguard and enhance the welfare of children and preserve family life.

Michigan’s Mandated Reporter Hotline

If you suspect abuse or neglect of a child in Michigan, the Mandated Reporter Hotline accepts phone reports any time, day and night.

855-444-3911

If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, call 911 before you call the Mandated Reporter Hotline.

Find training for mandated reporters at the Mandated Reporter Training platform.