Delaware Child Abuse Reporting Statute

DELEWARE CODE

TITLE 16. Health and Safety

Part II. Regulatory Provisions Concerning Public Health

Chapter 9. Abuse of Children

Subchapter I. Reports and Investigations of Abuse and Neglect; Child Protection Accountability Commission

§ 903. Reports required

Any person, agency, organization or entity who knows or in good faith suspects child abuse or neglect shall make a report in accordance with § 904 of this title. For purposes of this section, "person" shall include, but shall not be limited to, any physician, any other person in the healing arts including any person licensed to render services in medicine, osteopathy or dentistry, any intern, resident, nurse, school employee, social worker, psychologist, medical examiner, hospital, health care institution, the Medical Society of Delaware or law enforcement agency. In addition to and not in lieu of reporting to the Division of Family Services, any such person may also give oral or written notification of said knowledge or suspicion to any police officer who is in the presence of such person for the purpose of rendering assistance to the child in question or investigating the cause of the child's injuries or condition.

Title 16. Health and Safety

Part II. Regulatory Provisions Concerning Public Health

Chapter 9. Abuse of Children

Subchapter I. Reports and Investigations of Abuse and Neglect; Child Protection Accountability Commission

§ 909. Privileged communication not recognized

No legally recognized privilege, except that between attorney and client and that between priest and penitent in a sacramental confession, shall apply to situations involving known or suspected child abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report as required by § 903 of this title or to give or accept evidence in any judicial proceeding relating to child abuse or neglect.