Reporting Child Abuse - Louisiana

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Louisiana

Under Louisiana law, certain individuals (including any individual who provides health care services, any individuals who provide mental health services, any clergy, any teacher or other school employees, School coaches (including but not limited to public technical or vocational school, community college, college, or university coaches and coaches of intramural

or interscholastic athletics), child care providers, law enforcement officers, commercial film developers, court appointed child advocates, and others, including youth organizations, youth and activity providers) are required by law to report any known or suspected child abuse by utilizing the child abuse prevention hotline. The type of abuse reported determines which agency is the proper authority to whom report should be made. Persons not specifically listed by statute may report any known or suspected child abuse. Those persons required to report must also provide a written report of the abuse within five days.

Child abuse is defined as any act which endangers the physical, mental, emotional or health and safety of a child, including exploitation and sexual abuse or activity.

To access the specific sections summarized above in the official Louisiana Code online, including any relevant definitions, follow:

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=73195 

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=73201

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=73202

To access more information on reporting child abuse in Louisiana, including forms for mandatory reporters and other valuable information on spotting child abuse, see the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services website at: 

http://dss.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=109

http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm

 

To Report Child Abuse in Louisiana 24 Hours a day, 365 Days a Year, Call: 

855-4LA-KIDS

(855-452-5437)