Child Abuse Reporting Laws for New Hampshire

State and Statute: New Hampshire, N.H. Rev. Stat. §§ 169-C:2 et seq.

What Is Reportable "Abuse": Physical, sexual, or psychological abuse or neglect. [169-C:3(II.)]

Mandatory Reporters: Includes any priest, minister, rabbi, therapist, teacher, school official, school counselor, social worker, day care worker, or any other person having reason to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected. [169-C:29]

How and Where to Report: Orally via telephone to Department of Health and Human Services, followed by a written report within 48 hours if requested. [169-C:30]

Timeline to Report: Immediately. [169-C:30]

Clergy Privilege: "The privileged quality of communication between husband and wife and any professional person and his patient or client, except that between attorney and client, shall not apply to proceedings instituted pursuant to this chapter and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report as required by this chapter." [169-C:32]

Penalty for Knowingly Failing to Report: Misdemeanor. [169-C:39]

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

Immunity for Inaccurate Report: "Anyone participating in good faith in the making of a report pursuant to this chapter is immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed." [169-C:31]

Disclosure of Mandatory Reporter’s Identity: Reporter's identity must be kept confidential from statutory disclosure. [126-A:5XII(d)] Reporter's identity is excluded from statutory definition of "case records" for the department. [170-G:8-a]