Effective: 06-22-20
Supersedes: OP 128
Purpose: To identify the responsibility of EMTs and Paramedics with regard to child abuse and neglect reporting.
Policy: EMS providers will report any case of suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws or State in which the abuse is suspected.
Procedure:
In compliance with Massachusetts General Law C 119, sec 51A, any EMS provider who, in their professional capacity has reasonable cause or belief that a child under the age of 18 has suffered physical or emotional injury resulting from abuse inflicted upon them, including sexual abuse, or neglect, including malnutrition, or who is determined to be physically dependent upon an addictive drug at birth, shall immediately report such a condition verbally to the Department of Children and Families and submit a written report within (48) hours of the verbal report.
A copy of the report form is to be submitted to your immediate supervisor prior to the end of your shift.
In order to facilitate investigation of potential abuse/neglect, whenever possible, communicate suspicions to police officers who are at the scene.
Report forms are available from the Social Services department at the receiving facility.
Massachusetts: https://sso.hhs.state.ma.us/VGPortal/faces/SelfReg.jspx?SelfRegU=SRwarProvider&_adf.ctrl-state=7unucyh1u_11
Florida: https://reportabuse.dcf.state.fl.us/Child/ChildForm.aspx
New Hampshire: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/cps/contact.htm
Rhode Island: http://www.dcyf.ri.gov/policyregs/reporting_child_abuse_and_or_neglect.htm#