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Reporting Guidelines

  • When the abuse or neglect is suspected to be perpetrated by a parent, legal guardian, or any other individual that resides inside the home with the student, the mandatory reporter shall make the report to the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services and Law Enforcement.
  • When the abuse or neglect is suspected to be perpetuated by someone other than a parent, legal guardian, or other individual that does not reside inside the home with the student, the mandatory reporter shall make the report to the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services local.
  • Dual reporting to DCFS and law enforcement is permitted.
  • To report to DCFS, the mandatory reporter shall make a report of suspected abuse or neglect requiring immediate assistance via the designated state child protection reporting hotline telephone number. A report of suspected abuse or neglect which is of a non-emergency nature may be reported via the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Mandated Reporter Portal online. Reports may also be made in person at any child welfare office.
  • If a report involves alleged sex trafficking, all mandatory reporters shall report via the hotline telephone number regardless of whether there is alleged parental or caretaker culpability.
  • Abuse or neglect perpetrated by a teacher or childcare provider shall immediately be reported to local or state law enforcement.
  • As a mandatory reporter, the School Resource Office shall not receive information from another mandatory reporter, commence, or oversee any investigation into that report.

If a mandatory reporter is prohibited from immediately making the report required by statutes to the department or law enforcement because of School Board policies or employee manual, the mandatory reporter shall file a complaint with local or state law enforcement. Local or state law enforcement shall investigate the complaint and if violations are confirmed, the School Board shall be subject to the penalties provided for in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:131.1 and 403. The School Board shall not discriminate or retaliate against an employee who is a mandatory reporter for complying with this policy. If the School Board discriminates or retaliates against an employee for compliance, the School Board shall be subject to additional penalties as provided for in LA. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:131.1 and 403.