Which statement about mandatory reporters is true?

• A. It includes physicians, nurses, school personnel, law enforcement, and judges
• B. It includes only physicians
• C. It includes only teachers
• D. It excludes hospital personnel

Answer: (A)

Mandatory reporters are professionals required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect. They’re chosen because they regularly interact with children or have information about a child’s welfare, making them well-positioned to notice abuse or neglect and intervene early. The statement lists physicians, nurses, school personnel, law enforcement, and judges as examples, which aligns with the typical groups who fall under this obligation across many jurisdictions. These roles include medical staff who may see injuries or hear disclosures, educators who observe changes in behavior or safety concerns at school, police who encounter potential abuse in investigations, and judges who handle child welfare matters. The other options are too narrow or inaccurate: limiting to only physicians or only teachers misses other essential reporters, and excluding hospital personnel ignores a common mandated category. Note that the exact list can vary by state, but the core idea is that several professionals who work with or around children are legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect.