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Tennessee Child Abuse Laws
More Information on Child Abuse Laws
| Code Section | 37-1-401, et seq. |
| What Constitutes Abuse | Any wound, injury, disability, or physical or mental condition which is of a nature as to reasonably indicate that it has been caused by brutality, abuse, or neglect; also includes sexual abuse |
| Mandatory Reporting Required By | Physician, chiropractor, hospital personnel, any other health or mental health professional, spiritual healing practitioner, school teacher/personnel, judge, social worker, day care center worker, foster care worker, law enforcement officer, neighbor, relative, friend, or any other person |
| Basis of Report of Abuse/neglect | Having knowledge or being called on to render aid to any child suffering from or sustaining a wound or injury which is of such a nature as to reasonably indicate or which on the basis of available information appears to indicate have been caused by brutality, abuse or neglect |
| To Whom Reported | Department of Children's Services |
| Penalty for Failure to Report or False Reporting | Class A misdemeanor: false reporting of child sexual abuse: Class E felony |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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- Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.
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