Professionals such as teachers and school nurses have what obligation in suspected maltreatment cases?

• A. Only the principal can report
• B. Reporting requires parental consent
• C. Reporting is mandatory
• D. Reporting is optional

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that professionals who work with children are mandated reporters, meaning they have a legal duty to report any reasonable suspicion of maltreatment to the appropriate child protective services. This obligation exists to protect the child’s safety promptly, and it does not depend on parental consent—the report should be made even if the family disagrees or withholds permission. Reporting is mandatory, and failing to do so can carry legal or professional consequences. In practice, teachers, school nurses, counselors, and other school staff must observe, document concerns, and promptly file a report with the designated agency, following school procedures. The notion that only the principal can report is not accurate, and neither consent nor optional reporting aligns with mandated reporter requirements.