South Dakota Child Abuse Reporting Statute

SOUTH DAKOTA CODIFIED LAWS

Title 26. Minors

Chapter 26-8A. Protection of Children from Abuse or Neglect

26-8A-3. Persons required to report child abuse or neglected child--Intentional failure as misdemeanor

Any physician, dentist, doctor of osteopathy, chiropractor, optometrist, mental health professional or counselor, podiatrist, psychologist, religious healing practitioner, social worker, hospital intern or resident, parole or court services officer, law enforcement officer, teacher, school counselor, school official, nurse, licensed or registered child welfare provider, employee or volunteer of a domestic abuse shelter, chemical dependency counselor, coroner, or any safety-sensitive position as defined in subdivision 23-3-64(2), who have reasonable cause to suspect that a child under the age of eighteen has been abused or neglected as defined in § 26-8A-2 shall report that information in accordance with §§ 26-8A-6, 26-8A-7, and 26-8A-8. Any person who intentionally fails to make the required report is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Any person who knows or has reason to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected as defined in § 26-8A-2 may report that information as provided in § 26-8A-8.