Child Abuse Reporting: 3.42

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

PURPOSE—The purpose of the administrative procedure is to ensure safety of minors on HCC campuses.

PROCEDURE—HCC fully complies with the requirements of Sections 39.201 and 39.205, Florida Statutes, in addition to the requirements of State Board of Education Rule 6A-14.099, FAC.

All College employees who have knowledge or have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused, abandoned or neglected is required to report this to the Florida Department of Children and Family Services (DCF). A child is defined as anyone under the age of 18 who has not been emancipated by court order. Florida law also prohibits anyone from preventing another person from reporting suspected child abuse. Florida law also requires all HCC administrators to report information received from other HCC faculty or staff concerning known/suspected child abuse, abandonment or neglect committed on HCC property or at an HCC-sponsored event. HCC administrators are also prohibited from preventing another person from this. Florida statutes outline sanctions for non-compliance up to a fine of $1M to College for each allegation not reported. Individually, Florida imposes possible fines and imprisonment for an individual’s failure to report known or suspected child abuse, abandonment or neglect. Further, failure to comply with these notice requirements may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Reports may be made to Florida Abuse Hotline or local law enforcement. Any HCC employee who makes a report in good faith is immune from liability under Florida law. HCC prohibits retaliation against someone who makes a good faith report of child abuse, abandonment or neglect.

History: New