{"id":56465,"date":"2025-04-22T15:00:44","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T22:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.washington.edu\/research\/?page_id=56465"},"modified":"2025-05-01T06:58:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T13:58:17","slug":"mandatory-reporting","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.washington.edu\/research\/hsd\/guidance\/mandatory-reporting\/","title":{"rendered":"Mandatory State Reporting Guidance"},"content":{"rendered":"
This guidance describes the role of the Human Subjects Division (HSD), the UW Institutional Review Board (IRB), and UW researchers with respect to mandatory reporting<\/strong> as required by Washington State laws. This refers to events and circumstances that must be reported to specified authorities by the individuals or entities that learn about the events or circumstances. For example, Washington State law requires all UW employees to report reasonable knowledge of child abuse to specific authorities.<\/p>\n This Guidance does not address the issue of permitted (permissive) reporting<\/strong>, although the same Washington State statute generally describes both types of reporting. The Department of Health and Social Services has a useful website about mandatory versus permissive reporting<\/a>.<\/p>\n HSD and the IRB do not provide advice about whether specific events or circumstances require mandated reporting or who is a mandatory reporter. The roles and responsibilities of HSD and the IRB are to:<\/p>\n Provide the table below<\/strong> as a list of the Washington State mandatory reporting laws that may be relevant to human subjects research (based on HSD\u2019s knowledge) and the laws\u2019 statements about who is a mandatory reporter.<\/p>\n Ask researchers about whether participants should be provided with information about possible mandatory reporting.<\/strong> This question is raised only when it seems appropriate based on the nature of the participant population and the nature and circumstances of the research. HSD or the IRB also ask researchers about consent processes in which mandatory reporting language has been included but seems inappropriate or unnecessary.<\/p>\n Review and assist with the language<\/strong> used to inform participants about the possibility of mandatory reporting, specifically:<\/p>\n Clarify the relative authority of the IRB versus state requirements<\/strong> by ensuring that researchers understand that consent information and IRB requirements do not legally override mandatory state reporting requirements. <\/p>\n The roles and responsibilities of the researcher are to:<\/p>\n Assess whether there is a reasonable possibility<\/strong> that mandatory reporting circumstances or events will be encountered while conducting the research.<\/p>\n Identify any mandatory reporters<\/strong> on the research team.<\/p>\n Provide participants with information<\/strong> about the possibility of mandatory reporting, when appropriate and after obtaining IRB approval. <\/p>\n The table below summarizes HSD\u2019s knowledge of the Washington State laws about mandatory reporting that may be relevant to circumstances encountered by UW researchers. <\/p>\n Wording and definitions are taken directly from the state laws (RCW and\/or WAC). No interpretation is provided. UW researchers who wish to obtain legal guidance about whether or not they are \u201cmandated reporters\u201d should consult with the UW Attorney General\u2019s office or appropriate UW attorney. Some key definitions are copied here but additional definitions are available in the RCW and\/or WAC.<\/p>\n
Print<\/a><\/p>\nGUIDANCE Contents<\/h3>\n
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Purpose and Applicability<\/h2>\n
Roles and Responsibilities<\/h2>\n
HSD and the IRB<\/h3>\n
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Researchers<\/h3>\n
Applicable Washington State Laws<\/h2>\n