Table of Contents
y Preface 3
y Section One: Reporting Statutes
− Reporting to law enforcement or child protective services:
o A.R.S. § 13-3620 4
− Reporting to the State Board of Education
o A.R.S. § 15-514 (A) 5
o A.R.S. § 15-514 (B) 6
o A.R.S. § 15-514 (F) 7
y Section Two: Important Notes on Reporting 9
y Section Three: Investigative Web Site / Certification Search 10
y Appendix
− A.R.S § 13-3620 (entire text) 12
− A.R.S § 15-514 (entire text) 15
− Rules defining unprofessional conduct (R7-2-1308) 17
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Preface
Protecting the health and welfare of students is the most important and fundamental
responsibility of every professional educator. Consequently, it is imperative that all school
personnel be educated and hold fast to Arizona’s laws regarding the safety of children in
Arizona’s classrooms. These laws include important guidelines on reporting allegations of child
abuse and professional misconduct. Failure to comply with these laws can, above all, result in
the needless victimization of children, and may also lead to criminal and administrative
proceedings against those who fail to make the required reports.
The document to follow is designed to guide Arizona’s professional educators through the
process of reporting allegations of child abuse and professional misconduct to the appropriate
authorities. Also contained in this document is vital information regarding state resources
available to both traditional public schools and charter schools. This information is presented to
ensure that Arizona’s students are provided the safest possible learning environment.
* This document is a summary of applicable state laws and is not intended to
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provide complete information or legal advice on specific problems. Changes in laws
and cases may modify the information provided, and school personnel should refer
to the current specific laws to determine their duties to report.
Section One:
Reporting Statutes
School personnel are required to report allegations of child abuse under two Arizona laws:
A.R.S. § 13-3620 and A.R.S. § 15-514. Copies of both these laws are included in the Appendix.
A.R.S. § 13-3620 – Reporting to law enforcement or child protective services:
• Who must report pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3620?
A.R.S. § 13-3620 mandates that certain professionals report suspected child abuse to the
proper authorities. Among these professionals are nurses, psychologists, social workers,
counselors, school personnel or any other person having responsibility for the care or
treatment of children. This includes, at least, all teachers and administrators.
• What must be reported and to whom should these reports be made?
A.R.S. § 13-3620 generally states that any person who reasonably believes that a minor is
or has been the victim of physical injury, abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, sexual conduct
with a minor, sexual assault, molestation, sexual exploitation of a minor, incest, child
prostitution or neglect that appears to have been inflicted on the minor by other than
accidental means shall immediately report this information, or cause reports to be made,
to a peace officer or child protective services in the department of economic security.
Please refer to the statute for a complete list of offenses that must be reported.
Reports required by this statute should be made to either the local law enforcement
agency or child protective services (1-888-SOS-CHILD). Generally, if the suspected
abuse is committed by a family member or legal guardian the report should be made to
child protective services. All other reports should be made to law enforcement.
• How and when should a report be made?
A.R.S. § 13-3620 requires two reports. First, the suspected abuse should immediately be
reported to the appropriate authorities either in person or by telephone. Second, the
statute requires that this be followed by a written report within seventy-two hours. This
report shall contain:
1. The names and addresses of the minor and the minor’s parents or the person
or persons having custody of the minor, if known.
2. The minor’s age and the nature and extent of the minor’s abuse, child abuse,
physical injury or neglect, including any evidence of previous abuse, child
abuse, physical injury or neglect.
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3. Any other information that the person believes might be helpful in
establishing the cause of the abuse, child abuse, physical injury or neglect.
• What is the standard for determining when a report is required?
The standard for making reports pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-3620 is a “reasonable” belief.
This means “if there are any facts from which one could reasonably conclude that a child
has been abused, the person knowing those facts is required to report those facts to the
appropriate authorities. ‘Reasonable grounds’ is a low standard”
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(emphasis added).
School personnel are not required to fully investigate the suspected abuse.
Rather, their responsibility is only to report the information to the proper authorities.
A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor, except if the failure
to report involves a reportable offense, the person is guilty of a class six felony.
A.R.S. § 15-514 (A)– Reporting to the Arizona State Board of Education:
• Who must report pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(A)?
All certified individuals (including teachers and administrators) and all governing board
members in the state of Arizona are required to report pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(A).
• What must be reported pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(A)?
A.R.S. § 15-514(A) states that a report must be made when an individual reasonably
suspects or receives a reasonable allegation that a person certificated by the State Board
of Education has engaged in conduct involving minors that would be subject to the
reporting requirements of A.R.S. § 13-3620. That conduct includes, but is not limited to,
the following: sexual abuse, sexual conduct with a minor, sexual assault, molestation,
sexual exploitation of a minor, incest, child prostitution, abuse or physical neglect which
appears to have been inflicted on that minor by other than accidental means or any act
that may have resulted in the death of a child.
• How and when should such a report be made?
A.R.S. § 15-514(A) requires that a report be made in writing as soon as is reasonably
practicable, but no later than three business days after the person first suspects or receives
an allegation of misconduct. Written reports may be sent to:
Arizona State Board of Education
Investigative Unit
1535 W. Jefferson
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602)542-2972
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1
L.A.R. v. Ludwig, 170 Ariz. 24, 27, 821 P.2d 291, 294 (Ct. App. 1991)
The Investigative Unit also accepts reports via e-mail. Access to the appropriate e-mail
address can be obtained through the unit’s web site, which is discussed in detail in
Section Three.
• What is the standard for determining when a report is required?
The standard for making a report pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(A) is a reasonable
suspicion or receipt of a reasonable allegation. Some allegations that were not reportable
under A.R.S. § 13-3620 may be reportable under A.R.S. § 15-514.
A.R.S. § 15-514 (B)– Reporting to the Arizona State Board of Education:
• Who must report pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(B)?
All school district superintendents and chief administrators of charter schools are
required to report pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(B).
• What must be reported pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(B)?
A.R.S. § 15-514(B) states that a report must be made when a school district
superintendent or chief administrator of a charter school reasonably suspects or receives a
reasonable allegation that a person certificated by the State Board of Education has
committed an immoral or unprofessional act that would constitute grounds for dismissal
or criminal charges.
The State Board of Education has developed rules defining unprofessional conduct. A
copy of these rules is included in the Appendix.
• How and when should such a report be made?
Reports made pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(B) can be made by telephone by calling the
Investigative Unit at (602) 542-2972. Written reports should be sent to:
Arizona State Board of Education
Investigative Unit
1535 W. Jefferson
Phoenix, AZ 85007
The Investigative Unit also accepts reports via e-mail. Access to the appropriate e-mail
address can be obtained through the unit’s web site, which is discussed in detail in
Section Three.
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A.R.S. § 15-514(B) does not prescribe a specific timeframe for reports to be made,
however, the Investigative Unit encourages reports to be submitted as soon as reasonably
practicable.
• What is the standard for determining when a report is required?
The standard for making a report pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(B) is a reasonable
suspicion or receipt of a reasonable allegation. This is a parallel standard with A.R.S. §
15-514(A).
A.R.S. § 15-514 (F)– Reporting to the Arizona State Board of Education:
• Who must report pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(F)?
All governing board members or school district employees that have control over
personnel decisions are required to report pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(F).
• What must be reported pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(F)?
A.R.S. § 15-514(F) states that a governing board member or school district employee
charged with personnel decisions may not accept the resignation of a certificated
employee that is suspected of committing any reportable violation involving minors until
the suspicion or allegation is first reported to the Investigative Unit of the State Board of
Education.
• How and when should such a report be made?
Reports made pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(F) can be made via telephone by calling the
Investigative Unit at (602) 542-2972. Written reports should be sent to:
Arizona State Board of Education
Investigative Unit
1535 W. Jefferson
Phoenix, AZ 85007
The Investigative Unit also accepts reports via e-mail. Access to the appropriate e-mail
address can be obtained through the unit’s web site, which is discussed in detail in
Section Three.
Reports made pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(F) must be made before the individual’s
resignation is accepted.
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• What is the standard for determining when a report is required?
The standard for making a report pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-514(F) is a reasonable
suspicion or receipt of a reasonable allegation. This is a parallel standard with A.R.S. §
15-514(A).
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* Failure to comply with any part of A.R.S. § 15-514 constitutes grounds for
disciplinary action by the Board of Education. Disciplinary action may include
censure, suspension, suspension with conditions or revocation of an individual’s
teaching credentials.
Section Two:
Important Notes on Reporting
There are some very important points to keep in mind when determining when a report
should be made:
1. Both A.R.S. § 13-3620 and A.R.S. § 15-514 are reporting statutes only.
School personnel are not required to investigate allegations of misconduct
prior to making a report.
2. Both statutes assign direct reporting responsibilities to those aware of the
suspected abuse. This means that reporting suspected abuse to one’s direct
supervisor alone may not satisfy the reporting requirements. The statutes
require that you report or cause reports to be made to the proper authorities.
Therefore, follow up may be necessary to ensure that the necessary report was
made.
3. Determining what should be reported will almost always require the educator
to exercise some level of judgment about the allegations. If it is unclear what
should be done the best policy is to report the allegations to the proper
authorities.
4. Both statutes grant those making reports immunity from civil damages
provided that the report was made in good faith. A.R.S. § 13-3620 also grants
those making reports immunity from criminal liability.
5. A.R.S. § 15-514 prohibits unlawful reprisal against an employee who made, in
good faith, a report required under this statute.
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Section Three:
Investigative Web Site / Certification Search
Since its 1999 inception, the investigative web site has proven to be a remarkable
resource for Arizona’s traditional public and charter schools. It is highly recommended
that all administrators and personnel directors become familiar with this resource.
The web site allows appropriate school personnel access to the certification history of
current and prospective employees. As illustrated below (see object 1), school personnel
can view certificate and Fingerprint Clearance Card status, identify ongoing
investigations of immoral/unprofessional conduct, as well as any past disciplinary
action(s) taken by the State Board of Education.
While the value of this information for traditional public schools (which must employ
certificated teachers) is obvious, charter schools will find this information equally useful.
All charter school teachers are also required to possess a valid Fingerprint Clearance
Card. Additionally, employment of a teacher whose certificate has been revoked for
misconduct involving minors is prohibited in charter schools.
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Object 1: Secured Investigative web site that displays all Arizona certification services, prior disciplinary action, and
allows the user to make a report to the Investigative Unit.
Also included in the web site is the opportunity for the user to make a report of
immoral/unprofessional conduct to the State Board of Education’s Investigative Unit.
Reports made via the web site are e-mailed directly to the Investigative Unit. When
making a report through the investigative web site, a form will be provided asking the
reporter for pertinent information (see object 2). This feature represents the easiest and
most efficient way to report an incident of unprofessional and/or immoral conduct.
To maintain site security access to the investigative web site is limited to authorized
district and charter school personnel. All those seeking access may contact the
Investigative Unit at (602) 542-2972.
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Object 2: Confidential report form that will be electronically sent to the State Board of Education. No
action will be implemented until all allegations are thoroughly investigated.
Appendix
A.R.S. § 13-3620
13-3620. Duty to report abuse, physical injury, neglect and denial or deprivation of medical or
surgical care or nourishment of minors; medical records; exception; violation; classification;
definitions
A. Any person who reasonably believes that a minor is or has been the victim of physical injury,
abuse, child abuse, a reportable offense or neglect that appears to have been inflicted on the
minor by other than accidental means or that is not explained by the available medical history as
being accidental in nature or who reasonably believes there has been a denial or deprivation of
necessary medical treatment or surgical care or nourishment with the intent to cause or allow the
death of an infant who is protected under section 36-2281 shall immediately report or cause
reports to be made of this information to a peace officer or to child protective services in the
department of economic security, except if the report concerns a person who does not have care,
custody or control of the minor, the report shall be made to a peace officer only. A member of
the clergy, christian science practitioner or priest who has received a confidential communication
or a confession in that person's role as a member of the clergy, christian science practitioner or a
priest in the course of the discipline enjoined by the church to which the member of the clergy,
christian science practitioner or priest belongs may withhold reporting of the communication or
confession if the member of the clergy, christian science practitioner or priest determines that it
is reasonable and necessary within the concepts of the religion. This exemption applies only to
the communication or confession and not to personal observations the member of the clergy,
christian science practitioner or priest may otherwise make of the minor. For the purposes of this
subsection, "person" means:
1. Any physician, physician's assistant, optometrist, dentist, osteopath, chiropractor, podiatrist,
behavioral health professional, nurse, psychologist, counselor or social worker who develops the
reasonable belief in the course of treating a patient.
2. Any peace officer, member of the clergy, priest or christian science practitioner.
3. The parent, stepparent or guardian of the minor.
4. School personnel or domestic violence victim advocate who develop the reasonable belief in
the course of their employment.
5. Any other person who has responsibility for the care or treatment of the minor.
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B. A report is not required under this section for conduct prescribed by sections 13-1404 and 13-
1405 if the conduct involves only minors who are fourteen, fifteen, sixteen or seventeen years of
age and there is nothing to indicate that the conduct is other than consensual.
C. If a physician, psychologist or behavioral health professional receives a statement from a
person other than a parent, stepparent, guardian or custodian of the minor during the course of
providing sex offender treatment that is not court ordered or that does not occur while the
offender is incarcerated in the state department of corrections or the department of juvenile
corrections, the physician, psychologist or behavioral health professional may withhold the
reporting of that statement if the physician, psychologist or behavioral health professional
determines it is reasonable and necessary to accomplish the purposes of the treatment.
D. Reports shall be made immediately by telephone or in person and shall be followed by a
written report within seventy-two hours. The reports shall contain:
1. The names and addresses of the minor and the minor's parents or the person or persons having
custody of the minor, if known.
2. The minor's age and the nature and extent of the minor's abuse, child abuse, physical injury or
neglect, including any evidence of previous abuse, child abuse, physical injury or neglect.
3. Any other information that the person believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of
the abuse, child abuse, physical injury or neglect.
E. A health care professional who is regulated pursuant to title 32 and who, after a routine
newborn physical assessment of a newborn infant's health status or following notification of
positive toxicology screens of a newborn infant, reasonably believes that the newborn infant may
be affected by the presence of alcohol or a drug listed in section 13-3401 shall immediately
report this information, or cause a report to be made, to child protective services in the
department of economic security. For the purposes of this subsection, "newborn infant" means a
newborn infant who is under thirty days of age.
F. Any person other than one required to report or cause reports to be made under subsection A
of this section who reasonably believes that a minor is or has been a victim of abuse, child abuse,
physical injury, a reportable offense or neglect may report the information to a peace officer or to
child protective services in the department of economic security, except if the report concerns a
person who does not have care, custody or control of the minor, the report shall be made to a
peace officer only.
G. A person who has custody or control of medical records of a minor for whom a report is
required or authorized under this section shall make the records, or a copy of the records,
available to a peace officer or child protective services worker investigating the minor's neglect,
child abuse, physical injury or abuse on written request for the records signed by the peace
officer or child protective services worker. Records disclosed pursuant to this subsection are
confidential and may be used only in a judicial or administrative proceeding or investigation
resulting from a report required or authorized under this section.
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H. When telephone or in-person reports are received by a peace officer, the officer shall
immediately notify child protective services in the department of economic security and make
the information available to them. Notwithstanding any other statute, when child protective
services receives these reports by telephone or in person, it shall immediately notify a peace
officer in the appropriate jurisdiction.
I. Any person who is required to receive reports pursuant to subsection A of this section may
take or cause to be taken photographs of the minor and the vicinity involved. Medical
examinations of the involved minor may be performed.
J. A person who furnishes a report, information or records required or authorized under this
section, or a person who participates in a judicial or administrative proceeding or investigation
resulting from a report, information or records required or authorized under this section, is
immune from any civil or criminal liability by reason of that action unless the person acted with
malice or unless the person has been charged with or is suspected of abusing or neglecting the
child or children in question.
K. Except for the attorney client privilege or the privilege under subsection L of this section, no
privilege applies to any:
1. Civil or criminal litigation or administrative proceeding in which a minor's neglect,
dependency, abuse, child abuse, physical injury or abandonment is an issue.
2. Judicial or administrative proceeding resulting from a report, information or records submitted
pursuant to this section.
3. Investigation of a minor's child abuse, physical injury, neglect or abuse conducted by a peace
officer or child protective services in the department of economic security.
L. In any civil or criminal litigation in which a child's neglect, dependency, physical injury,
abuse, child abuse or abandonment is an issue, a member of the clergy, a christian science
practitioner or a priest shall not, without his consent, be examined as a witness concerning any
confession made to him in his role as a member of the clergy, a christian science practitioner or a
priest in the course of the discipline enjoined by the church to which he belongs. Nothing in this
subsection discharges a member of the clergy, a christian science practitioner or a priest from the
duty to report pursuant to subsection A of this section.
M. If psychiatric records are requested pursuant to subsection G of this section, the custodian of
the records shall notify the attending psychiatrist, who may excise from the records, before they
are made available:
1. Personal information about individuals other than the patient.
2. Information regarding specific diagnosis or treatment of a psychiatric condition, if the
attending psychiatrist certifies in writing that release of the information would be detrimental to
the patient's health or treatment.
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N. If any portion of a psychiatric record is excised pursuant to subsection M of this section, a
court, upon application of a peace officer or child protective services worker, may order that the
entire record or any portion of the record that contains information relevant to the reported abuse,
child abuse, physical injury or neglect be made available to the peace officer or child protective
services worker investigating the abuse, child abuse, physical injury or neglect.
O. A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor, except if the failure to
report involves a reportable offense, the person is guilty of a class 6 felony.
P. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Abuse" has the same meaning prescribed in section 8-201.
2. "Child abuse" means child abuse pursuant to section 13-3623.
3. "Neglect" has the same meaning prescribed in section 8-201.
4. "Reportable offense" means any of the following:
(a) Any offense listed in chapters 14 and 35.1 of this title or section 13-3506.01.
(b) Surreptitious photographing, videotaping, filming or digitally recording of a minor pursuant
to section 13-3019.
(c) Child prostitution pursuant to section 13-3212.
(d) Incest pursuant to section 13-3608.
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A.R.S. § 15-514
15-514. Reports of immoral or unprofessional conduct; immunity
A. Any certificated person or governing board member who reasonably suspects or receives a
reasonable allegation that a person certificated by the state board of education has engaged in
conduct involving minors that would be subject to the reporting requirements of section 13-3620
shall report or cause reports to be made to the department of education in writing as soon as is
reasonably practicable but not later than three business days after the person first suspects or
receives an allegation of the conduct.
B. The superintendent of a school district or the chief administrator of a charter school who
reasonably suspects or receives a reasonable allegation that an act of immoral or unprofessional
conduct that would constitute grounds for dismissal or criminal charges by a certificated person
has occurred shall report the conduct to the department of education.
C. A person who reports or provides information pursuant to this section regarding the immoral
or unprofessional conduct of a certificated person in good faith is not subject to an action for
civil damages as a result.
D. A governing board or school or school district employee who has control over personnel
decisions shall not take unlawful reprisal against an employee because the employee reports in
good faith information as required by this section. For the purposes of this subsection "unlawful
reprisal" means an action that is taken by a governing board as a direct result of a lawful report
pursuant to this section and, with respect to the employee, results in one or more of the
following:
1. Disciplinary action.
2. Transfer or reassignment.
3. Suspension, demotion or dismissal.
4. An unfavorable performance evaluation.
5. Other significant changes in duties or responsibilities that are inconsistent with the employee's
salary or employment classification.
E. Failure to report information as required by this section by a certificated person constitutes
grounds for disciplinary action by the state board of education.
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F. A governing board or school district employee who has control over personnel decisions and
who reasonably suspects or receives a reasonable allegation that a person certificated by the state
board of education has engaged in conduct involving minors that would be subject to the
reporting requirements of section 13-3620 and this article shall not accept the resignation of the
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certificate holder until these suspicions or allegations have been reported to the state board of
education.
Rules Defining
Unprofessional and Immoral Conduct
TITLE 7. EDUCATION
CHAPTER 2. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
ARTICLE 13. CONDUCT
R7-2-1308. Unprofessional and immoral conduct
A. Individuals holding certificates issued by the Board pursuant to A.A.C. R7-2-601
et seq., and individuals applying for certificates issued by the Board pursuant to A.A.C.
R7-2-601 et seq. shall:
1. make reasonable efforts to protect pupils from conditions harmful to
learning, health or safety;
2. account for all funds collected from pupils, parents or school personnel;
3. adhere to provisions of the Uniform System of Financial Records related to use of
school property, resources or equipment; and
4. abide by copyright restrictions, security or administration procedures for a test or
assessment.
B. Individuals holding certificates issued by the Board pursuant to A.A.C. R7-2-601
et seq., and individuals applying for certificates issued by the Board pursuant to A.A.C.
R7-2-601 et seq. shall not:
1. discriminate against or harass any pupil or school employee on the basis of race,
national origin, religion, sex, including sexual orientation, disability, color or age,
2. deliberately suppress or distort information or facts relevant to a pupil’s academic
progress;
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3. misrepresent or falsify pupil, classroom, school or district-level data from the
administration of a test or assessment;
4. engage in a pattern of conduct for the sole purpose or with the sole intent of
embarrassing or disparaging a pupil;
5. use professional position or relationships with pupils, parents or colleagues for
improper personal gain or advantage;
6. falsify or misrepresent documents, records or facts related to professional
qualifications or educational history or character;
7. assist in the professional certification or employment of a person the certificate
holder knows to be unqualified to hold a position;
8. accept gratuities or gifts that influence judgment in the exercise of professional
duties;
9. possess, consume, or be under the influence of alcohol on school premises or at
school-sponsored activities;
10. illegally possess, use, or be under the influence of marijuana, dangerous drugs, or
narcotic drugs, as each is defined in A.R.S. §13-3401;
11. make any sexual advance towards a pupil or child, either verbal, written or
physical;
12. engage in sexual activity, a romantic relationship or dating of a pupil or child;
13. submit fraudulent requests for reimbursement of expenses or for pay;
14. use school equipment to access pornographic, obscene or illegal materials;
or
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15. engage in conduct which would discredit the teaching profession.
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C. Individuals found to have engaged in unprofessional or immoral conduct shall be subject
to, and may be disciplined by, the Board.
D. Procedures for making allegations, complaints and investigation of unprofessional
or immoral conduct shall be as set forth in this article.
http://www.azed.gov/state-board-education/files/2012/10/state-of-arizona-child-abuse-reporting-procedures.pdf
