All staff are responsible for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect, including exploitation, to the proper authorities and/or the appropriate school administrator within 48 hours. Under state law, staff are free from liability for reporting a reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect. However, failing to report the incident may result in criminal liability regardless of whether the authorities determine the incident is provable in a subsequent legal proceeding.

The Superintendent shall develop procedures to support identification and reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect and provide them to all staff on an annual basis. This policy shall be referenced in conjunction with those supporting procedures.

Superintendent Procedure:

• 3421SP – Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention

Policy Cross References:

• 2145 – Suicide Prevention
• 3143 – Notification and Dissemination of Information About Student Offenses and Notification of Threats of Violence or Harm
• 3208 – Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited
• 4310 – District Relationships with Law Enforcement and other Government Agencies
• 5006 – Unprofessional Conduct of Staff
• 5253 – Maintaining Professional Staff/Student Boundaries
• 5281 – Staff Disciplinary Action and Discharge

Previous Policies:

• D116.00 – Child Abuse Reporting
• D116.01 – Child Abuse Reporting Procedure

Legal References:

• RCW 13.34.300 Relevance of failure to cause juvenile to attend school to neglect petition.
• RCW 26.44.020 Definitions.
• RCW 26.44.030 Reports—Duty and authority to make—Duty of receiving agency—Duty to notify—Case planning and consultation—Penalty for unauthorized exchange of information—Filing dependency petitions—Investigations—Interviews of children—Records—Risk assessment process.
• RCW 28A.320.160 Alleged sexual misconduct by school employee—Parental notification—Information on public records act.
• RCW 28A.400.317 Physical abuse or sexual misconduct by school employees—Duty to report—Training.
• RCW 28A.620.010 Purposes.
• RCW 28A.620.020 Restrictions—Classes on parenting skills and child abuse prevention encouraged.
• RCW 43.43.830 Background checks—Access to children or vulnerable persons—Definitions.
• WAC 110-30-0030 What is child abuse or neglect?
• AGO 1987, No. 9 Children—Child Abuse—Reporting by School Officials—Alleged Abuse by Student.

Management Resources:

• WSSDA Policy & Legal News, June 2015, April 2010
• Department of Children, Youth & Family (https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/safety/what-is-abuse)

Last Board Review:

• October 8, 2025

Revisions:

• October 8, 2025

Adopted by the Board:

April 4, 2012