Are Mandated Reporting Policies Contributing to Disparities in Child Welfare? A Discussion of Their History and Unintended Consequences

Mandated reporting policies have expanded in scope and focus since their inception in the 1960s, though their effectiveness in protecting children is mixed. Researchers and advocates argue these policies may exacerbate racial disproportionalities in child welfare. This article presents select findings from a study examining the relationship between mandated reporting laws (State Child Abuse and Neglect [SCAN] Policies Database) and substantiation rates (National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System [NCANDS]) to understand how these laws might be associated with accurate reporting of maltreatment. We did not find a relationship between mandated reporting policies and the likelihood of a report being substantiated. However, the relationship changed based on child race/ethnicity and type of maltreatment experienced. This suggests that mandated reporting policies may have unintended consequences, including unnecessary reports that contribute to racial disproportionalities.