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Schools and mandated reporting: educators urged to report, then expect limited feedback
Summary
Legislative researchers and statute staff outlined who is a mandated reporter and how states differ on anonymity and training. School counselors told the committee they often lack feedback after making reports and want clearer guidance and more training on when and how to report.
Topeka, Kan. — The Joint Committee on Child Welfare System Oversight heard a review of national mandated-reporting laws and a Kansas statutory summary on June 2, and several school counselors described practical problems they face when deciding to make a report.
What the state and national review said Natalie Nelson, a policy analyst with Legislative Research, summarized how 46 states require specific professional groups to report suspected abuse or neglect — commonly physicians, nurses, teachers, social workers, law enforcement and clergy — while 17 states also impose a broader “any person” reporting duty. Nelson noted that 30 states permit anonymous reporting while 19 states require a reporter’s identity to be disclosed; 22 states expressly protect attorney-client privilege and 30 states uphold clergy-penitent privilege in certain circumstances.
Jesse from the Revised Statutes Office (RSO) outlined Kansas statute language that defines who must report and what must be included in a report — names and addresses, the reason for the reporter’s suspicion and other details when known. RSO staff said Kansas law provides civil immunity for anyone who reports in good faith and imposes a class B misdemeanor for willful failure to report, interference with reporting or making a false report.
School counselor testimony Educators and school counselors told the panel they regularly make mandated reports and often do so with limited facts, but they rarely learn outcomes. Marcus Stratton, a school counselor who has filed mandatory reports, said his district and peers want clearer guidance on “what to look for” and better follow-up after a report is filed. Marcus and fellow counselor Monique Young said many school staff feel they must report when unsure; they asked for more interactive, scenario-based training and better communication from DCF about whether a case was assigned, investigated or resolved.
What DCF said Deputy Secretary Tanya Keyes confirmed that reporters who request notification are sent an email stating whether the report was assigned for further assessment or not, and that the KPRC provides reporters an intake confirmation number. She told the committee the department cannot share confidential case findings (substantiated/unsubstantiated) with reporters and will not disclose the identity of anonymous reporters.
Why it matters: Educators are a major source of reports to child-protection hotlines; the committee heard that teachers make more calls than any other single group. Counselors and teachers asked lawmakers to consider clarifying training and statutory language so mandated reporters can balance the duty to report with practical limits on the type of investigation that will follow.
Sources and attribution: Natalie Nelson (Legislative Research), Jesse (Revised Statutes Office), Tanya Keyes (Deputy Secretary, Department for Children and Families); testimony from school counselors Marcus Stratton and Monique Young.
