Child Abuse Reporting Laws for Alabama

Last Reviewed:

State and Statute: Alabama, Code §§ 26-14-1 et seq.

What Is Reportable “Abuse”: Physical, sexual, or mental abuse, sexual exploitation, neglect, or maltreatment. [26-14-1]

Mandatory Reporters: Includes “members of the clergy as defined in Rule 505 of the Alabama Rules of Evidence,” public and private K-12 employees, mental health professionals, school teachers and officials, day care workers or employees, or any other person called upon to render aid or medical assistance to any child, “when the child is known or suspected to be a victim of child abuse.” [26-14-3(a)]

How and Where to Report: Oral report (face-to-face or via phone) followed by written report to chief of police, sheriff, or Department of Human Resources, or a duly constituted authority. [26-14-3(a)]

Timeline to Report: Immediately. [26-14-3(a)]

Clergy Privilege: “A member of the clergy shall not be required to report information gained solely in a confidential communication privileged pursuant to Rule 505 of the Alabama Rules of Evidence which communication shall continue to be privileged as provided by law.” [26-14-3(f)]

Penalty for Knowingly Failing to Report: Misdemeanor punishable by not more than six months’ imprisonment or fine of not more than $500. [26-14-13]

Civil Liability for Failure to Report Recognized? No statute recognizes civil liability. Consult with legal counsel to ensure no recent court decisions in Alabama have recognized civil liability.

Immunity for Inaccurate Report: “Any person, firm, corporation, or official … participating in the making of a good faith report … pursuant to this chapter, or participating in a judicial proceeding resulting therefrom, shall, in so doing, be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed.” [26-14-9]

Disclosure of Mandatory Reporter’s Identity: Department has ability to refuse to disclose identifying information except when court orders disclosure based upon suspicion of false report. [26-14-8(f)]

Additional Information for Alabama:

All information provided here was most recently verified in March 2023.

This content is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. "From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations." Due to the nature of the U.S. legal system, laws and regulations constantly change. The editors encourage readers to carefully search the site for all content related to the topic of interest and consult qualified local counsel to verify the status of specific statutes, laws, regulations, and precedential court holdings.

This content is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. "From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations." Due to the nature of the U.S. legal system, laws and regulations constantly change. The editors encourage readers to carefully search the site for all content related to the topic of interest and consult qualified local counsel to verify the status of specific statutes, laws, regulations, and precedential court holdings.

Related Resources

Visit Store

ajax-loader-largecaret-downcloseHamburger Menuicon_amazonApple PodcastsBio Iconicon_cards_grid_caretChild Abuse Reporting Laws by State IconChurchSalary Iconicon_facebookGoogle Podcastsicon_instagramLegal Library IconLegal Library Iconicon_linkedinLock IconMegaphone IconOnline Learning IconPodcast IconRecent Legal Developments IconRecommended Reading IconRSS IconSubmiticon_select-arrowSpotify IconAlaska State MapAlabama State MapArkansas State MapArizona State MapCalifornia State MapColorado State MapConnecticut State MapWashington DC State MapDelaware State MapFederal MapFlorida State MapGeorgia State MapHawaii State MapIowa State MapIdaho State MapIllinois State MapIndiana State MapKansas State MapKentucky State MapLouisiana State MapMassachusetts State MapMaryland State MapMaine State MapMichigan State MapMinnesota State MapMissouri State MapMississippi State MapMontana State MapMulti State MapNorth Carolina State MapNorth Dakota State MapNebraska State MapNew Hampshire State MapNew Jersey State MapNew Mexico IconNevada State MapNew York State MapOhio State MapOklahoma State MapOregon State MapPennsylvania State MapRhode Island State MapSouth Carolina State MapSouth Dakota State MapTennessee State MapTexas State MapUtah State MapVirginia State MapVermont State MapWashington State MapWisconsin State MapWest Virginia State MapWyoming State IconShopping Cart IconTax Calendar Iconicon_twitteryoutubepauseplay
caret-downclosefacebook-squarehamburgerinstagram-squarelinkedin-squarepauseplaytwitter-square