In Massachusetts a Mandated Reporters has to contact DCF when in their professional capacity they reasonably have constant belief that a child under the age of 18 is suffering from neglect and/or abuse. There is supposed to be an oral report filed immediately and a written report filed within 48 hours. Further, the Mandated Reporter may notify local law enforcement or the child advocate office if there is suspected abuse or neglect that rises to the level of a crime.
The Mandated Reporter also needs to assist in the investigation of the 51A. If they fail to report the oral or written report, they can be punished by a fine of up to $1,000.00 and if they willfully fail to report child abuse or neglect there can even be a fine of up to $5,000.00 and can be up to 2.5 years in jail. Mandated Reporters who will also knowingly and willingly file a frivolous report, can be punished by fine of up to $2,000.00 for 1st offense; or up to 6 months in jail for 2nd offense; and up to 2.5 years in jail for a 3rd offense.
However, in my experience I have never seen nor heard of a Mandated Reporter being criminally prosecuted for a frivolous report.
