1354
PUBLIC LAW 89-775-NOV. 6, 1966
[80
STAT.
Public Law 89-775 November 6, 1966 [H. R. 10304]
AN ACT T<» provide for the mandatory reporting by physicians and in!>titutions in the pistrict of Columbia of certain physical abnse of children.
Be it enacted by the Senate and Hoiine of Reprei^entat'i ren of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, District of Columbia. Child a b u s e, reporting requirement.
PURPOSE
1. The purpose of this Act is to provide for the protection of children who have had physical injury inflicted upon them or who have suffered physical harm due to neglect. Physicians who become aware of such cases should report them to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia thereby causing the protective services of the District of Columbia to be brought to bear in an effort to protect the health and welfare of these children to prevent further abuses, and preserve family life whenever possible. SECTION
REPORTS BY P H Y S I C I A N S AND INSTITTTTTONS
77 Stat. 519.
SEC. 2. Notwithstanding section 14-307 of the District of Columbia Code, any physician in the District of Columbia, including persons licensed under the Healing Arts Practice Act, District of Columbia, 1929 (45 Stat. 1326; secs. 2-101 et seq., D.C. Code, 1961 edition), as amended, having reasonable cause to believe that a child under the age of eighteen brought to him or coming before him for examination, care, or treatment has in his opinion had serious physical injury or injuries inflicted upon him other than by accidental means, or has suffered serious physical harm due to neglect, shall report or cause reports to be made in accordance with this Act: Provided, That when a physician in the performance of service as a member of the staff of a hospital or similar institution attends a child, he shall notify the person 111 charge of the hospital or institution or his designated agent who shall report or cause reports to be made in accordance with this Act. NATURE AND CONTENT OF REPORT; TO WHOM MADE
SEC. 3. An oral report shall be made immediately by telephone or otherwise, and followed as soon thereafter as practicable by a report in writing, to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. Such reports shall contain the names and addresses of the child and his parents or other persons responsible for his care, if known, the child's age, nature and extent of the child's injuries (including any evidence of previous injuries), and may furnish any other information which the physician or other person required to make the report believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of the injuries and the identity of the perpetrator. I M M U N I T Y FROM LIABILIT-Y
SEC. 4. Any person, hospital, or institution participating in good faith in the making of a report pursuant to this Act shall have immunity from liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed with respect to the making of such report. Any such participant shall have the same immunity with respect to participation in any judicial proceeding involving such report.
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