Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 722 / Act 238 of 1975
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.623 (2026)

Individual required to report child abuse or neglect; report by telephone or online reporting system; written report; contents; transmitting report to centralized intake; copies to prosecuting attorney and probate court; conditions requiring transmission of report to law enforcement agency; pregnancy or presence of sexually transmitted infection in child less than 12 years of age; exposure to or contact with methamphetamine production.

✓ current as of July 2026
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CHILD PROTECTION LAW


Act 238 of 1975


722.623 Individual required to report child abuse or neglect; report by telephone or online reporting system; written report; contents; transmitting report to centralized intake; copies to prosecuting attorney and probate court; conditions requiring transmission of report to law enforcement agency; pregnancy or presence of sexually transmitted infection in child less than 12 years of age; exposure to or contact with methamphetamine production.

Sec. 3.

    (1) An individual is required to report under this act as follows:

    (a) A physician, dentist, physician's assistant, registered dental hygienist, medical examiner, nurse, person licensed to provide emergency medical care, audiologist, psychologist, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapist, athletic trainer, marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, social worker, licensed master's social worker, licensed bachelor's social worker, registered social service technician, social service technician, a person employed in a professional capacity in any office of the friend of the court, school administrator, school counselor or teacher, law enforcement officer, member of the clergy, or regulated child care provider who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or child neglect shall make an immediate report to centralized intake by telephone, or, if available, through the online reporting system, of the suspected child abuse or child neglect. Within 72 hours after making an oral report by telephone to centralized intake, the reporting person shall file a written report as required in this act. If the immediate report has been made using the online reporting system and that report includes the information required in a written report under subsection (2), that report is considered a written report for the purposes of this section and no additional written report is required. If the reporting person is a member of the staff of a hospital, agency, or school, the reporting person shall notify the person in charge of the hospital, agency, or school of his or her finding and that the report has been made, and shall make a copy of the written or electronic report available to the person in charge. A notification to the person in charge of a hospital, agency, or school does not relieve the member of the staff of the hospital, agency, or school of the obligation of reporting to the department as required by this section. One report from a hospital, agency, or school is adequate to meet the reporting requirement. A member of the staff of a hospital, agency, or school shall not be dismissed or otherwise penalized for making a report required by this act or for cooperating in an investigation.

    (b) A department employee who is 1 of the following and has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or child neglect shall make a report of suspected child abuse or child neglect to the department in the same manner as required under subdivision (a):

    (i) Eligibility specialist.

    (ii) Family independence manager.

    (iii) Family independence specialist.

    (iv) Social services specialist.

    (v) Social work specialist.

    (vi) Social work specialist manager.

    (vii) Welfare services specialist.

    (c) Any employee of an organization or entity that, as a result of federal funding statutes, regulations, or contracts, would be prohibited from reporting in the absence of a state mandate or court order. A person required to report under this subdivision shall report in the same manner as required under subdivision (a).

    (2) The written report or a report made using the online reporting system must contain the name of the child and a description of the child abuse or child neglect. If possible, the report shall contain the names and addresses of the child's parents, the child's guardian, the persons with whom the child resides, and the child's age. The report shall contain other information available to the reporting person that might establish the cause of the child abuse or child neglect, and the manner in which the child abuse or child neglect occurred.

    (3) The department shall inform the reporting person of the required contents of the written report at the time the oral report is made by the reporting person.

    (4) The written report required in this section must be mailed or otherwise transmitted to centralized intake.

    (5) Upon receipt of a written report of suspected child abuse or child neglect, the department may provide copies to the prosecuting attorney and the probate court of the counties in which the child suspected of being abused or neglected resides and is found.

    (6) If an allegation, written report, or subsequent investigation of suspected child abuse or child neglect indicates a violation of section 136b, 145c, 462a to 462h, or 520b to 520g of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.136b, 750.145c, 750.462a to 750.462h, and 750.520b to 750.520g, or a violation of section 7401c of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.7401c, involving methamphetamine has occurred, or if the allegation, written report, or subsequent investigation indicates that the suspected child abuse or child neglect was committed by an individual who is not a person responsible for the child's health or welfare, including, but not limited to, a member of the clergy, a teacher, a teacher's aide, or an individual 18 years of age or older who is involved in a youth program, the department must transmit a copy of the allegation or written report and the results of any investigation to a law enforcement agency in the county in which the incident occurred. If an allegation, written report, or subsequent investigation indicates that the individual who committed the suspected child abuse or child neglect is a child care provider and the department believes that the report has basis in fact, the department shall, within 24 hours after completion of the allegation, written report, or subsequent investigation, transmit a copy of the written report or the results of the investigation to the child care regulatory agency with authority over the child care provider's child care organization or adult foster care location authorized to care for a child.

    (7) If a local law enforcement agency receives an allegation or written report of suspected child abuse or child neglect or discovers evidence of or receives a report of an individual allowing a child to be exposed to or to have contact with methamphetamine production, and the allegation, written report, or subsequent investigation indicates that the child abuse or child neglect or allowing a child to be exposed to or to have contact with methamphetamine production, was committed by a person responsible for the child's health or welfare, the local law enforcement agency shall refer the allegation or provide a copy of the written report and the results of any investigation to the county department of the county in which the abused or neglected child is found, as required by subsection (1)(a). If an allegation, written report, or subsequent investigation indicates that the individual who committed the suspected child abuse or child neglect or allowed a child to be exposed to or to have contact with methamphetamine production, is a child care provider and the local law enforcement agency believes that the report has basis in fact, the local law enforcement agency shall transmit a copy of the written report or the results of the investigation to the child care regulatory agency with authority over the child care provider's child care organization or adult foster care location authorized to care for a child. Neither this subsection nor subsection (1) relieves the department of its responsibilities to investigate reports of suspected child abuse or child neglect under this act.

    (8) For purposes of this act, the pregnancy of a child less than 12 years of age or the presence of a sexually transmitted infection in a child who is over 1 month of age but less than 12 years of age is reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or child neglect has occurred.

    (9) In conducting an investigation of child abuse or child neglect, if the department suspects that a child has been exposed to or has had contact with methamphetamine production, the department shall immediately contact the law enforcement agency in the county in which the incident occurred.

    

    

History: 1975, Act 238, Eff. Oct. 1, 1975 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 252, Eff. Mar. 30, 1979 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 573, Eff. Mar. 30, 1979 ;-- Am. 1980, Act 511, Imd. Eff. Jan. 26, 1981Am. 1984, Act 418, Eff. Mar. 29, 1985 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 372, Eff. Mar. 30, 1989 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 177, Imd. Eff. June 20, 1994 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 10, Imd. Eff. Feb. 14, 2002 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 661, Imd. Eff. Dec. 23, 2002 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 693, Eff. Mar. 1, 2003 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 264, Imd. Eff. July 6, 2006 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 583, Imd. Eff. Jan. 3, 2007 ;-- Am. 2008, Act 300, Imd. Eff. Oct. 8, 2008 ;-- Am. 2008, Act 510, Imd. Eff. Jan. 13, 2009 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 344, Eff. Jan. 14, 2015 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 35, Imd. Eff. Mar. 8, 2016 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 47, Eff. June 21, 2022 ;-- Am. 2022, Act 66, Eff. Nov. 1, 2022

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 71 cases (14 in the last 5 years), 1980–2026 · leading case: Lee v. Detroit Med. Ctr., 775 N.W.2d 326 (Mich. Ct. App. 2009).
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Lee v. Detroit Med. Ctr., 775 N.W.2d 326 (Mich. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 16× “On December 20, 2004, plaintiff filed suit against defendants, alleging that defendants breached their statutory duty to report suspected child abuse and neglect under MCL 722.623 and 722.633. [8] On July 3, 2007, defendants Dr.”
People v. Stanaway, 521 N.W.2d 557 (Mich. 1994). · cites it 6× “The counselor reported the allegations to the police pursuant to the mandatory disclosure requirements of MCL 722.623; MSA 25.248(3). [3] Before trial, Stanaway's defense counsel filed a motion that sought direct access to the records of a social worker in the juvenile diversion…”
People of Michigan v. Shae Lynn Mullins, 911 N.W.2d 201 (Mich. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 3× “624 provides, "In addition to those persons required to report child abuse or neglect under [ MCL 722.623 ], any person, including a child, who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse *161 or neglect may report the matter to the department or a law enforcement agency.”
Jaffee v. Redmond, 518 U.S. 1 (1996). · cites it 2× “Laws § 119:51A (1994); Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 722.623 (West 1992 Supp.”
Murdock v. Higgins, 559 N.W.2d 639 (Mich. 1997). · cites it 4× “§ 722.623(1); M.S.A. § 25.248(3)(1).] Defendant Higgins, as a certified social worker, had a duty to make an oral report of suspected child abuse if he has "reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect" as defined by M.”
Jones v. Bitner, 832 N.W.2d 426 (Mich. Ct. App. 2013). · cites it 4× “1 We conclude that the mandatory reporting provision of the Child Protection Law (CPL), MCL 722.623, does not abrogate the governmental immunity statute, MCL 691.”
Nathaniel Brent v. Wayne Cty. Dep't of Human Servs., 901 F.3d 656 (6th Cir. 2018). “Accordingly, Trice necessarily acted within the scope of her authority when she decided-either rightly or wrongly-not to report the alleged medical neglect here.”
Roberts v. Salmi, 866 N.W.2d 460 (Mich. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 3× “Finally, the dissent’s concerns regarding possible interference with the Legislature’s enactment of mandatory reporting with respect to child abuse, MCL 722.623, are misplaced, given the limited nature of the duty that we recognize today; therapists are not placed in an…”
Marcelletti v. Bathani, 500 N.W.2d 124 (Mich. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 3× “Bathani previously had treated an unidentified child whom Lux had allegedly abused and that Bathani suspected but failed to report Lux’s abuse of that child, 1 contrary to § 3 of the Child Protection Law, MCL 722.623(1); MSA 25.248(3)(1), with the following result: The legal…”
Williams v. Coleman, 488 N.W.2d 464 (Mich. Ct. App. 1992). · cites it 3× “MCL 722.623(1); MSA 25.248(3)(1) 5 imposes a statutory duty on social workers and others to make a report when they have "reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect.”
People v. Cavaiani, 432 N.W.2d 409 (Mich. Ct. App. 1988). · cites it 3× “Originally charged in the 52nd District Court with failing to report as required by § 3 of the Child Protection Law, MCL 722.623; MSA 25.248(3), defendant moved to quash the complaint and warrant on the grounds that the statute was unconstitutionally vague, overbroad, and that…”
People v. Meeboer, 484 N.W.2d 621 (Mich. 1992). · cites it 2× “See MCL 722.623; MSA 25.248(3). It is quite probable that most successful prosecutions for child sexual abuse, or for any child abuse, had as their beginning a report, filed with the appropriate authorities, based upon hearsay statements by the child or some other observer.”
Show all 71 citing cases →
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.623(1) — 18 cases
People v. Stanaway, 521 N.W.2d 557 (Mich. 1994). “The counselor reported the allegations to the police pursuant to the mandatory disclosure requirements of MCL 722.623; MSA 25.248(3). [3] Before trial, Stanaway's defense counsel filed a motion that sought direct access to the records of a social worker in the juvenile diversion…”
Murdock v. Higgins, 559 N.W.2d 639 (Mich. 1997). “§ 722.623(1); M.S.A. § 25.248(3)(1).] Defendant Higgins, as a certified social worker, had a duty to make an oral report of suspected child abuse if he has "reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect" as defined by M.”
People of Michigan v. Shae Lynn Mullins, 911 N.W.2d 201 (Mich. Ct. App. 2017). “624 provides, "In addition to those persons required to report child abuse or neglect under [ MCL 722.623 ], any person, including a child, who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse *161 or neglect may report the matter to the department or a law enforcement agency.”
Williams v. Coleman, 488 N.W.2d 464 (Mich. Ct. App. 1992). “MCL 722.623(1); MSA 25.248(3)(1) 5 imposes a statutory duty on social workers and others to make a report when they have "reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect.”
Marcelletti v. Bathani, 500 N.W.2d 124 (Mich. Ct. App. 1993). “Bathani previously had treated an unidentified child whom Lux had allegedly abused and that Bathani suspected but failed to report Lux’s abuse of that child, 1 contrary to § 3 of the Child Protection Law, MCL 722.623(1); MSA 25.248(3)(1), with the following result: The legal…”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.623(1)(a) — 17 cases
Lee v. Detroit Med. Ctr., 775 N.W.2d 326 (Mich. Ct. App. 2009). “On December 20, 2004, plaintiff filed suit against defendants, alleging that defendants breached their statutory duty to report suspected child abuse and neglect under MCL 722.623 and 722.633. [8] On July 3, 2007, defendants Dr.”
Doe v. Doe, 809 N.W.2d 163 (Mich. Ct. App. 2010).
Doe v. Doe, 780 N.W.2d 300 (Mich. 2010).
Isiah Spencer v. Crestwood Sch. Dist. (Mich. Ct. App. 2024).
Minor Doe v. Trinity Health-Michigan (Mich. Ct. App. 2025).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.623(2) — 1 case
Marcelletti v. Bathani, 500 N.W.2d 124 (Mich. Ct. App. 1993). “Bathani previously had treated an unidentified child whom Lux had allegedly abused and that Bathani suspected but failed to report Lux’s abuse of that child, 1 contrary to § 3 of the Child Protection Law, MCL 722.623(1); MSA 25.248(3)(1), with the following result: The legal…”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.623(5) — 1 case
People v. Wood, 523 N.W.2d 477 (Mich. 1994).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.623(6) — 2 cases
Achterhof v. Selvaggio, 886 F.2d 826 (6th Cir. 1989).
People v. Farrow, 455 N.W.2d 325 (Mich. Ct. App. 1990).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.623(7) — 1 case
Achterhof v. Selvaggio, 886 F.2d 826 (6th Cir. 1989).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.623(a) — 1 case
Nelson-Molnar v. Ann Arbor Pub. Schs. (E.D. Mich. 2024).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 722.623(l)(a) — 4 cases
Jones v. Bitner, 832 N.W.2d 426 (Mich. Ct. App. 2013). “1 We conclude that the mandatory reporting provision of the Child Protection Law (CPL), MCL 722.623, does not abrogate the governmental immunity statute, MCL 691.”
Weishuhn v. Lansing Catholic Diocese, 787 N.W.2d 513 (Mich. Ct. App. 2010).
Detroit Free Press, Inc v. Fam. Indep. Agency, 672 N.W.2d 513 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003).
People v. Prominski, 839 N.W.2d 32 (Mich. Ct. App. 2013).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.