Timely reporting of suspected cases is critical to enabling cases to be investigated and can save lives.
Under California state law, all healthcare providers are qualified mandatory reporters for cases of suspected child abuse and neglect, suspected elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect, and suspicious injury.
Suspicious Injury
“Penal Code Section 11160 requires that if any health practitioner, within their scope of their employment, provides medical services for a wound or physical injury inflicted as a result of assaultive or abusive conduct, or by means of a firearm, shall make a telephone report immediately or as soon as possible. They shall also prepare and submit a written report within 2 working days of receiving the information to a local law enforcement agency.” CalOES 2-920 Form
Two mandated state reporting forms pre-empt the use of the suspicious injury reporting form.
Suspected Child Abuse
Article 2.5 of the California PC is known as the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). Penal Code § 11166 requires all professional medical personnel to report suspected child abuse and neglect, defined by Penal Code § 11165, immediately by telephone and to submit a written report (DOJ SS 8572) within 36 hours to a local law enforcement agency OR a child protective services agency.
Penal Code § 11166 requires all professional medical personnel to report suspected child abuse and neglect, defined by Penal Code § 11165, immediately by telephone and to submit a written report (DOJ SS 8572) within 36 hours to a local law enforcement agency OR a child protective services agency.
Suspected Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse and Neglect
Welfare and Institutions Code §15630 states that any health practitioner is a mandated reporter for suspected elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect. Make an immediate telephone report and submit a written report within two working days. The written report form is SOC 341, published by the California Department of Social Services.
Cal OES 2-602 Instructions for reporting:
| Location Where Suspected Abuse and Neglect Occurred | Report to |
| Private residence, hotel or homeless shelter | Law enforcement agency or Adult Protective Services |
| Long-term care facility (e.g. nursing home, community care facility, residential care facility, elderly or adult day health center) | Law enforcement agency or the State Department of Mental Health |
| State mental hospital | Law Enforcement agency or the State Department of Mental Health |
| State development center | Law enforcement agency or the State Department of Developmental Services |
