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MSW Student Guide

Section 3.02.07: Mandatory Reporting and Duty-to-Warn Laws

States have laws which cover the mandatory reporting of child or elder abuse, and the duty to warn if a client is harmful to him/herself or others. Field instructors are responsible for educating all students with regard to these laws as they pertain to the field site. Students are not allowed to be the primary mandated reporter while functioning as a student in a field placement. This role is reserved for the field site field instructor who is responsible for ensuring that all field placement policies, regulations, laws, and ethical obligations are followed. The student can assist and should have exposure to situations that involve mandatory reporting and duty to warn.