Delaware Handbook: Mandatory Reporting

IS A PHYSICIAN REQUIRED TO REPORT INJURIES RELATED TO SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE? WHAT ABOUT ELDERLY OR DISABLED ADULT ABUSE? Yes. Physicians have a duty to report suspected abuse of children, disabled adults, and the elderly to the Delaware Division of Family Services, and may also report the information to any police officer. With regard to suspected child abuse, Delaware code states that a person, agency, organization, or entity who knows or in good faith suspects child abuse or neglect shall make a report. For purposes of this section, “person” shall include, but shall not be limited to, any physician, any other person in the healing arts including any person licensed to render services in medicine, osteopathy, or dentistry, ...