Under California state law, medical personnel (including prehospital staff) are legally required, mandatory reporters. If you suspect abuse of a child or dependent/elder, you must report as follows: 

• Suspected Child Abuse
  • Contact Child Welfare Services if you have a concern regarding potential abuse or neglect of a child
  • To make a report of suspected child abuse, call 858-560-2191 or 800-344-6000. Hotline staff are available 24 hours per day.
  • Form SS8572 
  • Mandated reporter training available through the Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training website
• Suspected Dependent Adult or Elder Abuse
  • Contact APS if you observe, suspect, or have knowledge of physical abuse, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction, neglect by others or neglect by self. Anyone can report abuse to APS, not just mandated reporters.
  • To make a report of elder or dependent adult abuse, call 800-339-4661
  • Form SOC341
  • Mandated reporters can use an online system to make a report at www.AISWebReferral.org
  • Mandated reporter training for Dependent Adult or Elder Abuse available through the California Department of Social Services website

For general public/layperson reporting:

• For a life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1
• Child Abuse Hotline: call (within California) 800-344-6000; website.
• Elder Abuse: call 800-339-4661; website. 
• Domestic Violence Hotline: call 888-DVLinks (385-4657); website.

In the event of an exposure, all prehospital provider agencies shall complete the Communicable Disease Exposure Form and follow the directions to route the completed form to the appropriate parties. Please see County EMS Policy S-009 for more information.

Fillable Communicable Disease Exposure Reporting Form now available.

Under existing federal, state and local regulations:

• all prehospital provider agencies shall develop and implement policies regarding the prompt reporting and follow-up of exposures to contagious infectious diseases
• in the event of an exposure all prehospital provider agencies shall complete the Communicable Disease Exposure Form and follow the directions to route the completed form to the appropriate parties.
• EMS agencies and receiving facilities shall work together to ensure compliance with the regulations.