Utah Abuse and Neglect Reporting Law
Under Utah law, any person who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, or observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, must report it to the Utah Department of Human Services Division of Child and Family Services, the nearest peace officer, or law enforcement agency. Willful failure to report is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, a fine of $1,000, or both.
Abuse is defined as “(i)(A)nonaccidental harm of a child; (B) threatened harm of a child; (C) sexual exploitation; (D) sexual abuse; or (E) human trafficking of a child…(ii) that a child’s natural parent: (A) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes the death of another parent of the child; (B) is identified by a law enforcement agency as the primary suspect in an investigation for intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing the death of another parent of the child; or (C) is being prosecuted for or has been convicted of intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing the death of another parent of the child.” Neglect is defined as “action or inaction causing: (i) abandonment of a child; (ii) lack of proper parental care of a child by reason of the fault or habits of the parent, guardian, or custodian; (iii) failure or refusal of a parent, guardian, or custodian to provide proper or necessary subsistence or medical care, or any other care necessary for the child’s health, safety, morals, or well-being; (iv) a child to be at risk of being neglected or abused because another child in the same home is neglected or abused; (v) abandonment of a child through an unregulated custody transfer; or (vi) educational neglect.”
Posting Requirement
All Utah human service licensed programs or providers must display this abuse and neglect reporting law poster in a conspicuous place. License types include: adoption, adult day care, day treatment, foster care, intermediate secure care, outdoor youth program, outpatient treatment, recovery residence, residential treatment, social detox, and therapeutic schools.