In a Bronx medical clinic, Isuree Katugampala encountered the difficult realities of mandated reporting during her residency. A mother of a toddler revealed that her husband’s jealousy sometimes led to physical violence against her but never directed towards her child. Though the mother indicated she was willing to seek emergency shelter if necessary, Katugampala encouraged her to collaborate with a social worker to apply for food benefits, which might help her gain independence. They planned to reconvene in a few weeks to continue the discussion.
However, Katugampala’s reporting to her attending physician triggered a sequence of events that left her heartbroken. Instead of receiving guidance, her supervisor notified the clinic’s social worker, who proceeded to contact New York state’s child abuse hotline. The result was devastating for the mother, who was left shaken and fearful about the impending investigations that could ensue.
“I had worked hard on building trust,” Katugampala lamented, recalling how the mother seemed startled by the news. Beyond the threat of the mother losing custody of her child, there was also the looming fear that her husband would discover her disclosures about the abuse. Unfortunately, Katugampala lost the mother’s trust, as she never returned for the follow-up appointment.
This incident underscores the relentless increase in mandated reports of child abuse since the 1960s. Initially established to protect children from harm, these laws obligate professionals like doctors, teachers, and social workers to report any reasonable suspicion of abuse to a state hotline. While the intent was noble, the laws often lack clear definitions, leaving many professionals grappling with varied interpretations of what constitutes neglect or abuse.
For instance, New York law does not specify what ‘proper supervision’ entails. Consequently, professionals find themselves caught in a dilemma—when witnessing a parent struggling, should they report or address the situation directly? The penalties for failing to report can be severe, including the loss of professional licenses and possible criminal charges.
Over the years, the number of reports has surged dramatically. From 60,000 reports annually nationwide in the 1970s, the numbers skyrocketed to over 4.4 million by 2019. In New York City, more than 60,000 calls are made every year, leading to a significant strain on families, often resulting in unwarranted investigations.
Despite the growing volume of reports, only 20% in New York City led to findings of abuse or neglect in 2023. Critics, especially in communities of color, argue that these investigations often do not serve to protect children but instead alienate families from crucial support systems. This trend is particularly stark for Black and brown families who face disproportionate scrutiny under the child welfare system.
As professionals increasingly vocalize concerns, New York state has introduced updated training for mandated reporters that emphasizes addressing implicit and explicit biases. However, critics assert that this training does not fundamentally address the systemic pressures or clarify what should be reported. The urgency for change has been echoed by Jess Dannhauser, the Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services, who calls for a shift from a culture of immediate reporting to one that encourages support and resources for struggling families.
In a notable move, Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi has proposed legislation to eliminate civil and criminal penalties for mandated reporters who choose not to report under certain circumstances. This bill aims to empower professionals in making judgment calls that prioritize the well-being of families rather than adhering to a rigid reporting structure. Activists, including healthcare professionals, have begun openly resisting the current policies, promoting a more nuanced understanding of family dynamics.
For example, Erinma Ukoha, an OB-GYN, has expressed her intention to work collaboratively with substance-using parents rather than report them immediately. Ukoha believes that allowing families to establish safety on their own terms can be more beneficial than an immediate, punitive response that can drive families apart.
Collaborative models, such as the Pediatric Care Coordination Timeout approach employed in San Francisco’s Zuckerburg General Hospital, have shown promise in rethinking how professionals manage child safety concerns. This model emphasizes sharing perspectives among staff and understanding the strengths of the family, rather than following a strict reporting procedure.
More professionals are acknowledging the culture of fear surrounding mandated reporting, which often inhibits open dialogue about safety among colleagues. Pediatrician Matthew Holm emphasized the crippling debt and professional stakes that drive many to choose reporting over discretion. Professionals report that even with the understanding that a child is not in immediate danger, they often feel compelled to call in suspicions due to potential backlash.
There is growing evidence that the current enforcement of mandated reporting may be doing more harm than good. The American Federation of Teachers recently ranked mandatory reporting reform as a major focus, highlighting that reporting often serves as a barrier, rather than a remedy to supporting families in need. Surveys reveal that many families, particularly those facing domestic violence, feel that mandatory reporting exacerbates their situations and increases their risk of harm.
For many families of color, the ramifications of mandated reporting can be particularly detrimental. In neighborhoods with high populations of Black and Latino families, investigations can further destabilize already vulnerable households. In Brownsville, for example, where poverty rates soar, one in five children could find themselves subjected to a child protective investigation in any given year.
Notably, public discourse surrounding these issues has changed over the past few years, particularly in the wake of social and racial justice movements. Activists like Leah Plasse, who co-founded Mandated Reporters Against Mandated Reporting, are raising awareness about the implications of over-reporting and the lack of genuine intervention for families facing systemic challenges.
Through rigorous training and collective support among professionals, a new narrative is emerging that demands a reevaluation of mandatory reporting laws. Testimonies from various activists during legislative hearings highlight the need to approach child welfare with creativity and compassion, rather than through a lens of suspicion and fear.
Ideas for reform include expediting investigations and allowing professionals more time to assess situations before reporting. Emphasizing school attendance concerns as issues to be managed within the school system, rather than as reasons for punitive action against parents, is being proposed as a way to encourage positive engagement with families.
Further, there are calls for clarifying reporting guidelines so that mandated reporters can operate with a clearer conscience. This means providing resources and decision trees to facilitate appropriate actions depending on each family’s circumstances. Many are advocating for a balanced approach that allows for both concern for child safety and the preservation of family integrity.
At the core of these discussions is the recognition that current policies must evolve to address the realities families face today. Advocates like Megha Sardana from Safe Horizon have expressed the moral injury experienced by professionals caught between wanting to help and adhering to mandated reporting. Sardana’s assertive stance on abolishing mandated reporting underscores the urgency of cultivating trust with families to foster healing and support.
Overall, as discussions about reform progress, there is a clear recognition that mandated reporting laws need to be reevaluated thoughtfully and compassionately. Aspiring for a system that actively protects families, rather than punishes them, is essential for realizing the ultimate goal of child welfare—to keep children safe and families intact.
image source from：https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/04/28/mandatory-reporting-laws-child-neglect-abuse-reform/
