Arkansas Mandated Reporter

Arkansas Code 12-18-402  

It is the statutory duty of school district employees to:

• If the employee has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or maltreatment, then the employee shall directly and personally report these suspicions to the Arkansas Crimes Against Children Division. Failure to report suspected child abuse, maltreatment, or neglect through this division can lead to criminal prosecution and individual civil liability of the person who has this duty. Notification of local or state law enforcement does not satisfy the duty to report; only notification by means of the Child Abuse hotline or website discharges this duty.

• If the employee has a good faith belief that there is a serious and imminent threat to the public based on a threat made by an individual regarding violence in or targeted at a school that has been communicated to the employee in the ordinary course of his/her professional duties, then the employee shall make every attempt to immediately notify law enforcement of the serious and imminent threat to the public and have notified law enforcement within twenty-four (24) hours of learning of the serious and imminent threat to the public.

Reporting Options

You can visit https://mandatedreporter.arkansas.gov/ to create an account and send in reports using a secure online portal. This website is designed to be user-friendly and easy to learn. If you have questions, the portal will also include a step-by-step video to walk you through the process of submitting online.

This portal has been created in addition to the hotline for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect. The Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline remains accessible by calling 1-800-482-5964