Policies » Section J: Students » JLF: Reporting Child Abuse Or Neglect

Policy Date: 01/18/2022

HSD File: JLF
HOOKSETT SCHOOL DISTRICT
REPORTING CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT

A. Statutorily Mandated Reporting –All Persons
Under New Hampshire law (RSA169-C29), every person who has “reason to suspect: that a child has been abused or neglected is required to report that suspicion to DCYF (Division of Children, Youth and Families of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services) or directly to the police. Under RSA 169-C:30, the initial report “shall be made immediately via telephone or otherwise”. The requirement to report is not dependent on whether there is proof of the abuse or neglect, nor is it dependent upon whether the information suggests the abuse or neglect is continuing or happened in the past. Any doubt regarding whether to report should be resolved in favor of reporting. Failure to report may be subject to criminal prosecution, while a report made in good faith is entitled to both civil and criminal immunity. Additionally, a “credential holder”, as defined in New Hampshire Department of Education Rule 501.02(h), who fails to report suspected abuse or neglect risk having action taken by the New Hampshire Department of Education against his/her credential. See N.H. Code of Conduct for Educators, Ed. 510.05(e).

The report should contain:
-the name and address of the child suspected of being abused or neglected
-the person responsible for the child’s welfare
-the specific information indicating neglect/abuse or the nature and extent of the child’s injuries (including any evidence of previous injuries),
-the identity of the person or persons suspected of being responsible for such neglect or abuse; and
-any other information that might be helpful in establishing neglect or abuse.
To report child abuse or neglect to DCYF, call 24/7 (800) 894-5533 (in-state) or (603) 271-6562. In cases of current emergency or imminent danger, call 911.

B. Additional provisions relating to school employees, volunteers an contracted service providers
Any school employee having reason to suspect that a child is being or has been abused or neglected shall immediately report his/her suspicions to the building principal or other building supervisor. The principal shall then immediately notify the appropriate state officials at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and must be supplemented with a written report as soon as practicable after the initial report, but in no event longer than one calendar day. The principal will then notify the Superintendent that such a report to Health and Human Services has been made.
1. Request for Assistance in Making Initial Report.
The initial report to the Principal/building supervisor may be made prior to the report to DCYF/law enforcement, but only if:
(a) the initial report is made for the purpose of seeking assistance in making the mandated report to DCYF/law enforcement, and
(b) reporting to the Principal, etc. will not cause any undue delay (measured in minutes) of the required report to DCYF/law enforcement
When receiving a request for assistance in making a report, the Principal or other person receiving the request is without authority to assess whether the report should be made, nor shall he/she attempt in
any way to dissuade the person from making the legally mandated report. Once the Principal/building
supervisor receives the information, the law would impose a reporting requirement upon both the original
reporter and the Principal.
2. Principal’s Action upon Receiving Report.
Upon receiving the report/request from the employee, volunteer or any other person, the
Principal/building supervisor shall immediately assure that DCYF/law enforcement is or has been notified,
and then notify the Superintendent that such a report to DCYF has been made.
A written report shall be made by the principal within 24 hours, with a copy provided to DCYF if
requested. The report should contain information included in the initial oral report, as well as any other
information requested by the Superintendent, law enforcement or DCYF.
3. Requirements for Reporting of Other Acts.
Employees/contracted service providers are also reminded of the requirements to report any act of ‘theft,
destruction, or violence’ as defined under RSA 193-D:4, I )a), incidents of ‘bullying’ per Board Policy JICK,
and hazing under RSA 671:7. A single act may simultaneously constitute abuse, bullying, hazing, and/or
an act of theft, destruction or violence.
4. Signage and Notification.
The Principal or Administrator of each school shall post a sign of each school shall post a sign in a public area
within the school that is readily accessible to students, in the form provided by the New Hampshire
Department of Health and Human Services, Division for Children, Youth, and Families, that contains
instructions on how to report child abuse or neglect, including the phone number for filing reports and
information on accessing the Division’s website. Additionally, information pertaining to the requirements of
section A of this policy shall be included in each student handbook or placed on the district’s website.
5. Training Required.
The Superintendent shall assure all school district employees, designated volunteers and contracted
service providers receive training with annual refreshers thereafter on the mandatory reporting
requirements, including how to identify child abuse or neglect.

Adopted: February 4, 1985
Adopted: May 15, 2001
Revised: October 7, 2008
Revised: March 20, 2018
Revised: January 18, 2022

Legal References:
NH Code of Administrative Rules, Ed 306.04(a)(10), Reporting of Suspected Abuse or Neglect, NH Code
of Administrative Rules, Code of Conduct for NH Educators, Ed 510.05(e), Duty to Report, RSA 169-C,
Child Protection Act, RSA 169-C:29-39, Reporting Law, RSA 189:72, Child Abuse or Neglect Information,
RSA 193-D:4, Safe School Zones, Written Report Required