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Virginia Child Abuse Laws
More Information on Child Abuse Laws
| Code Section | 63.2-1501, et seq.; 63.2-100 |
| What Constitutes Abuse | To create, inflict or threaten to create or inflict or allow to be created or inflicted upon a child a physical or mental injury by other than accidental means or create a substantial risk of death or impairment; neglect; abandonment; sexual abuse/exploitation |
| Mandatory Reporting Required By | Any person licensed to practice medicine or healing arts, nurses, social worker, probation officer, child care worker, school employee, teacher, Christian Science practitioner, mental health professional, law enforcement officer, mediator, any employee of facility which takes care of children, special advocate |
| Basis of Report of Abuse/neglect | Have reason to suspect that a child is abused or neglected |
| To Whom Reported | Department of Social Services toll-free child abuse or neglect hotline or to department of public welfare or social services in county where child resides |
| Penalty for Failure to Report or False Reporting | Failure to report within 72 hours of first suspicion of child abuse: fine up to $500; subsequent failures: $100-$1,000 fine False report: Class 1 misdemeanor (first offense); Class 6 felony (subsequent offenses) |
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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