Page 247 - 2021-2022 New Hire Benefits

DCF maintains a statewide toll-free telephone number in order to receive reports of child abuse. The
DCF number is l-800-842-2288.

2. Written Report to be Made Within 48 Hours of the Oral Report
Note: This requirement must be met even if during the oral report process the DCF representative
indicates that they will not be taking further action.

A mandated reporter must make a written report to the Commissioner of Children and Families or his
representative within 48 hours of making an oral report. When the mandated reporter is a member
of the staff of a public or private school, he shall also submit a copy of the written report to the
person in charge of the school. {Conn. Gen. Stat. § l7a-l01c}

C. Abuse of Child by School Employee and Suspension
1. Mandatory Suspension of School Employees Holding a State Certificate
If the Commissioner of Children and Families, after an investigation has been completed and based
upon the results of the investigation, has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused by
a school employee who holds a certificate, permit or authorization issued by the State Board of
Education, the commissioner shall notify the employing superintendent of such finding and shall
provide records, whether or not created by the department, concerning such investigation to the
superintendent who shall suspend such school employee. Such suspension shall be with pay and shall
not result in the diminution or termination of benefits to such employee. The suspension of a school
employee employed in a position requiring a certificate shall remain in effect until the board of
education acts on the complaint pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-151. {Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-
101i}
2. Suspension of All Other School Employees
If the Commissioner of Children and Families, after an investigation has been completed and based
upon the results of the investigation, has reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused by
a staff member of a public or private institution or facility providing care for children or private school,
and recommends that the staff member be placed on the child abuse and neglect registry, such
institution, school or facility shall suspend such staff person. Such suspension shall be with pay and
shall not result in diminution or termination of benefits to such employee. Such suspension shall
remain in effect until the incident of abuse has been satisfactorily resolved by the employer of the
staff person or until an appeal conducted in accordance with section 17a-101K has resulted in a
finding that the staff person is not responsible for the abuse or neglect or does not pose a risk to the
health, safe or well-being of children. {Conn. Gen. Stat. § 17a-101i}

D. Immunity from Liability
Any person making a "good faith" report of child abuse or neglect to DCF has immunity from "any
liability, civil or criminal." This immunity extends to the reporter's participation in any judicial proceeding
resulting from such report. Additionally, the law prohibits employers from discharging, or in any manner
discriminating or retaliating against any employee who in good faith makes a report, testifies or is about
to testify in any proceeding involving child abuse or neglect.
{Conn. Gen. Stat. § l7a-101e}

E. Penalty for Failure to Report
Any person required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect who fails to do so is subject to
a fine not less than five hundred dollars ($500) and not more than two thousand five hundred dollars
($2,500). {Conn. Gen. Stat. § l7a-101a}

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