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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
duty to report; abuse; neglect
Purpose
Requires a person who has a duty to report and has direct knowledge that a minor is or has been the victim of abuse or neglect committed by a person who has care, custody or control of the minor to immediately report the abuse or neglect to the Department of Child Safety (DCS).
Background
Current statute assigns a range of individuals with a mandatory duty to report when they reasonably believe a minor has been the subject of non-accidental physical injury, abuse, child abuse, neglect, or the denial of necessary medical care, or when a newborn may be affected by drugs or alcohol. Those with this duty include medical and behavioral health professionals, law enforcement and child-welfare personnel, members of the clergy, parents and guardians, school personnel and related victim advocates, individuals responsible for a child's care or treatment, their supervisors and administrators and members of school governing bodies. These mandated reporters must immediately notify a peace officer, DCS or appropriate tribal authorities when such reasonable belief arises. The report must outline suspected abuse, neglect, serious physical injury, deprivation of necessary medical treatment or nourishment or prenatal substance exposure in newborns, including relevant identifying information and details about the nature and circumstances of the suspected harm (A.R.S. § 13-3620).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires a person who has a duty to report and who has direct knowledge that a minor is or has been the victim of abuse or neglect committed by a person who has care, custody or control of the minor must immediately report the abuse or neglect to DCS.
2. Prohibits a person who has a duty to report from delegating the report to another person.
3. Makes conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 26, 2026
ZD/MY/ci