Take an active stance against violence by shedding light on child abuse and neglect. We’ve curated a list of 10 California mandated reporter training courses you can enroll your employees in. This educates them on their legal responsibilities as mandated reporters.
Children are often more socially vulnerable than adults. In the US, many students and part-time workers under the legal age are at risk of abuse and neglect. According to the National Children's Alliance, over 550,000 children were victims in 2022. To help combat child violence, CANRA was passed. It outlines clear procedures for mandated reporters to follow.
California mandated reporter training is essential for your business’s compliance with state laws. If the nature of your workplace requires regular interaction with minors, you must educate your employees on their legal duty to prevent the spread of child abuse and neglect.
Who must take mandated reporter training in California?
Under CANRA, employees who regularly interact with children have both a moral and legal responsibility to protect them from abuse. In California, mandated reporters are defined as those whose jobs involve consistent engagement with individuals under the age of 18.
According to the California Code, mandated reporter training is required of the following groups:
Teachers or instructional aides
School personnel
Healthcare workers
Youth organization staff
Child care providers
Social workers
Clergy
Law enforcement
Firefighters (excluding volunteers)
If mandated reporters encounter known or suspected instances of child abuse or neglect, they must report them to law enforcement and social services. California laws require mandated reporters to renew their training every two years. However, AB 1432 specifically requires school employees to receive their training annually.
Depending on the nature of your business, it’s crucial to consult the Code to verify how often your employees need to complete and renew their CANRA training.
What is the mandated reporter requirement in California?
The mandated reporter requirement in California refers to the legal duty of mandated reporters to report cases of child abuse and neglect to social service agencies and law enforcement personnel. The law specifies these five types of conduct as:
Physical injury or death upon a child
Sexual abuse (Section 11165.1)
Neglect (Section 11165.2)
Willful harming or injuring of a child that endangers them or puts their health at risk (Section 11165.3)
Unlawful corporal injury or punishment (Section 11165.4)
Filing a report must be done within 36 hours of discovering the known or reasonably suspected instance of child abuse and/or neglect. Should they fail to do so, they will be charged with a misdemeanor offense, which is punishable under the Penal Code by imprisonment in a county jail for up to six months and/or a maximum fine of 1,000 USD.
Raise awareness against child violence with California mandated reporter training
More than satisfying legal compliance, adults have a moral obligation to reduce cases of child abuse and neglect. When left unaddressed, this could cause trauma for children which they will likely bring into their adulthood. Unfortunately, many employees fail to report these cases due to a lack of awareness or understanding of the proper procedures.
By investing in California mandated reporter training for your team, you can effectively address these barriers. These programs help your employees understand their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding children’s well-being.
Luckily, Mitti (by SafetyCulture)’s microlearning courses break down these complex topics into digestible chunks. Plus, its mobile-first approach lets you deliver convenient and accessible training to your employees anytime and anywhere.
Promote child safety and legal compliance by enrolling your team in a California mandated reporter training course. Join Mitti (by SafetyCulture) today.










