Nebraska Child Abuse Reporting Statute

REVISED STATUTES OF NEBRASKA

Chapter 28. Crimes and Punishments

Article 7. Offenses Involving the Family Relation

28-711. Child subjected to abuse or neglect; report; contents; toll-free number

(1) When any physician, medical institution, nurse, school employee, social worker, or other person has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to child abuse or neglect or observes such child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which reasonably would result in child abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such incident or cause a report of child abuse or neglect to be made to the proper law enforcement agency or to the department on the toll-free number established by subsection (2) of this section. Such report may be made orally by telephone with the caller giving his or her name and address, shall be followed by a written report, and to the extent available shall contain the address and age of the abused or neglected child, the address of the person or persons having custody of the abused or neglected child, the nature and extent of the child abuse or neglect or the conditions and circumstances which would reasonably result in such child abuse or neglect, any evidence of previous child abuse or neglect including the nature and extent, and any other information which in the opinion of the person may be helpful in establishing the cause of such child abuse or neglect and the identity of the perpetrator or perpetrators. Law enforcement agencies receiving any reports of child abuse or neglect under this subsection shall notify the department pursuant to section 28-718 on the next working day by telephone or mail.

(2) The department shall establish a statewide toll-free number to be used by any person any hour of the day or night, any day of the week, to make reports of child abuse or neglect. Reports of child abuse or neglect not previously made to or by a law enforcement agency shall be made immediately to such agency by the department.

Chapter 28. Crimes and Punishments

Article 7. Offenses Involving the Family Relation

28-714. Privileged communications; not grounds for excluding evidence

The privileged communication between patient and physician, between client and professional counselor, and between husband and wife shall not be a ground for excluding evidence in any judicial proceeding resulting from a report of child abuse or neglect required by section 28-711.