Recommendations for Mandated Reporter Reform
In 2023, the Subcommittee was formed by The New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect (NJTFCAN) (NJTFCAN, 2026). The Subcommittee utilized focus groups and surveys to investigate the correlation between poverty and neglect in the child welfare system, and further developed three Workgroups composed of both families with experience in the welfare system as well as professionals. The Subcommittee then developed nine recommendations to reform the current mandated reporter system to ensure the protection of children and families. These recommendations are (NJTFCAN, 2026):

1. Establish a statutory Gold Standard mandated reporter training
2. Require training to be completed by the professions which are the top reporters
3. Create a learning management system, certified trainers, and a website
4. Creates profession-specific modules trainings in addition to making them Gold Standard
5. Places oversight bodies in charge of enforcement and compliance monitoring for education, healthcare, child care, and law enforcement professionals
6. Shifts the responsibility of universal mandated reporting to those who are professionally trained
7. End anonymous reporting to eliminate misuse and retaliatory reporting
8. Increase penalties for false reports
9. Introduce a decision-making tool with liability protections to allow reporters to take time and support families when a report is not needed and prevent unwarranted reports

How Other States are Reforming Mandated Reporting
When considering these recommendations, it is imperative to also look to the mandated reporter regulations in other states to determine their impacts and potential benefits of similar legislation in New Jersey. This analysis focuses on amendments and newly implemented laws throughout the United States from 2021-2026.

One important trend in nationwide state legislation is a push to eliminate anonymous reporting of child abuse and neglect. New York State Bill S550A (2025) and Texas House Bill 63 (2023) ban anonymous reporting, and Washington State (Rev. Code Ann. § 26.44.030) has required that the department make a greater effort to gather reporters’ identifying information while assuring confidentiality. This allows for follow-up in these cases and mitigates the number of baseless, retaliatory reports. Because retaliatory reports are typically anonymous, accountability is almost impossible. The elimination of anonymous reporting in New Jersey would eliminate intentionally baseless accusations against families. This will protect the safety of families and ensure that resources are not stretched thin by false accusations.

Improved Training
Another notable trend is the updated approaches to mandated reporter training. While New Jersey mandates everyone to report suspected abuse and neglect, almost two-thirds of all reports in New Jersey are made by law enforcement, education, and healthcare professionals. Regardless, there is no statutory requirement for mandated reporter training. New York (NJTFCAN, 2026) and Illinois (325 ILCS § 5/4) have recently expanded trainings to include the influence of bias on reports and its impacts on minority communities, especially Communities of Color. There are mixed opinions on the efficacy of implicit bias trainings. While some argue that implicit bias training prevents people from reporting genuine cases of abuse and increases the risk of harm to the child (Cohen, 2025), others argue that these trainings are needed to ensure the accuracy of reports (New York State Office of Children and Family Services [NYS OCFS], n.d.). However, the Subcommittee emphasizes the need for a mandated reporter training requirement by statute.

Other states have also recently made changes to their legislation restricting or expanding responsibilities based on the trainings provided. For example, New Mexico (§ 32A-4-3) has placed the responsibility for investigations of child abuse on police officers who have undergone child abuse investigation training. Additionally, Virginia (§63.2-1509) expanded its list of mandated reporters to include anyone older than 18 years who received the Department of Social Services-approved training. Training is the basis of these eligibility requirements for investigation and reporting, playing a major role in the adequacy of the mandated reporter system. Adequate training increases the likelihood of fairness and substantiation in reports and investigations to protect families.

Improving Reporting and Investigation Practices
One last major trend in the child welfare and reporting system is more closely associated with the investigation process. States across the nation have imposed a separate approach to concerns deemed low-risk. Maryland (§5-706), Washington (Rev. Code Ann. § 26.44.030), and Wisconsin (§ 48.981) have created alternate investigation methods for reports based upon their assessed risk level.[1] New Hampshire (§ 169-C:34) has also implemented methods for less intrusive interventions and methods to direct families to the resources they need. For reporters, Louisiana (Child Code § 610) implemented an online hotline in 2018 that would allow for different reporting methods based on the level of urgency. While reports can still be made through the traditional hotline, the online hotline was designed for cases when a reporter suspects abuse or neglect but does not think the child faces imminent danger. California also passed a bill in 2020 allowing counties to opt-in to an online reporting system after a trial run in Los Angeles County proved it successful in ensuring efficiency and maintaining resources (Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, n.d.). Online reporting databases do not replace the hotline, but mitigate the harms that arise from an overwhelmed system. The California online reporting system asks reporters questions to measure the weight of the situation and directs them to the hotline if it is likely needed (Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, n.d.). By separating the reports, the system ensures efficiency and the ability to address situations appropriately while treating families with dignity and keeping children safe.

It is evident that the child welfare system is in great need of reform. Implicit bias and the lack of uniform training throughout the state lead to extremely high rates of unsubstantiated reports caused by mistaking poverty for neglect. This disproportionately impacts Families of Color. To make the greatest impact and ensure that as many families are kept as safe as possible, it is important to understand not only the statistics, but the stories behind them. Each number is a person, a family, deserving of dignity and respect. System reforms based on research, nationwide efforts, and lived experience allow New Jersey to work toward a brighter future for the child welfare system and for children and families throughout the state.