In compliance with state law and to provide protection to victims of child abuse, the board believes incidents of alleged child abuse should be reported to the proper authorities.  All licensed employees, teachers, coaches, and paraeducators and all school employees 18 years of age or older are required as mandatory reporters, to report alleged incidents of child abuse they become aware of within the scope of their professional duties.  

When a mandatory reporter suspects a student is the victim of child abuse, the mandatory reporter shall make an oral report of the suspected child abuse to the Iowa Department of Human Services within 24 hours of becoming aware of the abusive incident and shall make a written report to the Iowa Department of Human Services within 48 hours following the oral report.  If the mandatory reporter believes the child is in immediate danger, the local law enforcement agency shall also be notified.  

Within six months of their initial employment, mandatory reporters shall take a two-hour training course involving the identification and reporting of child abuse and dependent adult abuse, or submit evidence they’ve taken the course within the previous three years.  Once the training course has been taken, the certificate will remain valid for three years.  Employees who have taken the two-hour training course will take the one-hour follow-up training course every three years and prior to the expiration of their certificate.

 Within six months of their initial employment, mandatory reporters will take a two-hour training course involving the identification and reporting of child abuse, or submit evidence they’ve taken the course within the previous three years.  After July 1, 2019, employees who have previously taken mandatory reporter training will be required to take the two-hour training course before the expiration of their current training certificate.  Once the training course has been taken, the certificate will remain valid for three years.  Employees who have taken the post-July 1, 2019 two-hour training course will take the one-hour follow up training course every three years and prior to the expiration of their certificate.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 232.67-.77; 232A; 235A; 280.17 (1995). 

441 I.A.C. 9.2; 155; 175. 

1982 Op. Att'y Gen. 390, 417. 

1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 275. 

Cross Reference: 402.03 Abuse of Students by School District Employees 

502.09 Interviews of Students by Outside Agencies 

507 Student Health and Well-Being

Approved 8/18/11     Reviewed   10/21/20             Revised    8-16-23