FindLaw | Find a Lawyer. Find Answers.
Are you a legal Professional?
My current location:
,
| Change location
Wisconsin Child Abuse Laws
More Information on Child Abuse Laws
| Code Section | 48.981, 48.02 |
| What Constitutes Abuse | Physical injury inflicted on child other than by accidental means, sexual abuse/exploitation, emotional damage, (harm to child's psychological or intellectual functioning which is exhibited by anxiety, depression, or other outward behavior) or neglect (failure to provide necessaries of life); on unborn child, habitual lack of self control by expectant mother in use of alcohol and controlled drugs |
| Mandatory Reporting Required By | Physician, coroner, nurse, dentist, chiropractor, acupuncturist, or other medical or mental health professional, social worker, marriage or family therapist, counselor, public assistance worker, school teacher/administrator/counselor, mediator, child care or day care center worker, physical or occupational therapists, EMT, speech-language pathologists, police or law enforcement officer, attorney, member of treatment staff or alcohol/drug abuse counselor |
| Basis of Report of Abuse/neglect | Reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected or has been threatened with abuse or neglect or that abuse or neglect will occur |
| To Whom Reported | The county department (or licensed child welfare agency under contract with the county department) or sheriff or police department |
| Penalty for Failure to Report or False Reporting | Fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 6 months in jail |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law:
- Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.
Related Resources for Child Abuse Laws: