6.1 a) Report by Mandated Reporter

1. A mandated reporter shall immediately make an oral/verbal report of suspected child abuse to DHS via the Statewide toll-free telephone number under section 6332 (relating to establishment of Statewide toll-free telephone number) (1-800-932-0313) or a written report using electronic technologies under section 6305 (relating to electronic reporting) via the self-service Child Welfare Portal.
2. A mandated reporter making an oral/verbal report of suspected child abuse to DHS via the Statewide toll-free telephone number under section 6332 (relating to establishment of Statewide toll-free telephone number) shall also make a written report, which may be submitted electronically, within 48 hours to DHS or the county agency assigned to the case by using the CY-47 form.
3. The failure of the mandated reporter to file the written report (CY-47) shall not relieve the county agency from any duty under the PA CPSL, and the county agency shall proceed as though the mandated reporter complied.

If you work for an employer, we refer you to your employer for any internal policies related to reporting suspected child abuse that they may have.

6.2 b) Contents of Report

A written report of suspected child abuse, which may be submitted electronically, shall include the following information, if known:

1. The names and addresses of the child, the child’s parents, and any other person responsible for the child’s welfare.
2. Where the suspected abuse occurred.
3. The age and sex of each subject of the report.
4. The nature and extent of the suspected child abuse, including any evidence of prior abuse to the child or any sibling of the child.
5. The name and relationship of each individual responsible for causing the suspected abuse and any evidence of prior abuse by each individual.
6. Family composition.
7. The source of the report.
8. The name, telephone number and e-mail address of the person making the report.
9. The actions taken by the person making the report, including those actions taken under section 6314 (relating to photographs, medical tests and X-rays of child subject to report), 6315 (relating to taking child into protective custody), 6316 (relating to admission to private and public hospitals) or 6317 (relating to mandatory reporting and postmortem investigation of deaths).
10. Any other information required by Federal law or regulation.
11. Any other information that DHS requires by regulation.

6.3 c) Applicability of Mental Health Procedures Act

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mandated reporter who makes a report of suspected child abuse or who makes a report of a crime against a child to law enforcement officials shall not be in violation of the act of July 9, 1976 (P.L.817, No.143), known as the Mental Health Procedures Act, by releasing information necessary to complete the report.

6.4 Electronic Reporting (23 Pa.C.S.§6305)

Confirmation of reports—A confirmation by DHS of the receipt of a report of suspected child abuse submitted electronically shall relieve the person making the report of making an additional oral/verbal or written report of suspected child abuse, subject to section 6313 (relating to reporting procedure).

6.5 Confidentiality of Reports (23 Pa.C.S.§6339)

Except as otherwise provided in subchapter C of the PA CPSL (relating to powers and duties of department) or by the Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure, reports made pursuant to the PA CPSL, including, but not limited to, report summaries of child abuse and reports made pursuant to section 6313 (relating to reporting procedure) as well as any other information obtained, reports written, or photographs or X-rays taken concerning alleged instances of child abuse in the possession of DHS or a county agency shall be confidential.

6.6 Release of Information in Confidential Reports (23 Pa.C.S.§6340)

Protecting identity—Except for reports under section 6340(a)(9) and (10) of the PA CPSL and in response to a law enforcement official investigating allegations of false reports under 18 Pa.C.S.§4906.1 (relating to false reports of child abuse), the release of data by DHS, county, institution, school, facility, or agency or designated agent of the person in charge that would identify the person who made a report of suspected child abuse or who cooperated in a subsequent investigation is prohibited. Law enforcement officials shall treat all reporting sources as confidential informants.