Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA)

Step One - Immediately, or as soon as practically possible, contact by phone one of the following:

• The Bakersfield Police Department at: (661) 327-7111

• CSUB University Police at: (661) 654-2677

• The County Probation Department at: (661) 868-4100, or

• The Child Welfare Department at: (800) 272-6699

Step Two - Within 36 hours of receiving the information concerning the incident:

• Complete Form SS 8572, also known as Attachment E.

Note: In case of an emergency or if a crime is in progress, employees should always immediately call University police or 911.

Human Resources will send an email to each individual identified as either a General Reporter or a Limited Reporter.  Embedded in each letter will be a link to an "Acknowledgement" form which must be completed and returned to HR to be maintained in your file.

Positions identified as Mandated Reporter can also be found in Attachment B.

"General Reporter" is a category of Mandated Reporter, defined by the CSU as those who are legally required to report child abuse or neglect no matter where it occurs. For the purposes of this policy, any employee who satisfies the criteria for both Limited Reporters and General Reporters will be designated as a General Reporter.

Upon notification that an individual is a General Reporter, an employee must complete and submit an Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter Status and Legal Duty to Report Child Abuse and Neglect for General Reporters form.

"Limited Reporters" is a category of Mandated Reporter, in accordance with California Penal Code § 11165.7(a)(41), and defined by the CSU as those who are legally required to report child abuse or neglect only if it occurs on CSU premises or at an official activity of, or program conducted by, the CSU.

Upon notification that an individual is a Limited Reporter, an employee or volunteer must complete and submit an "Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter Status and Legal Duty to Report Child Abuse and Neglect for Limited Reporters" form.

Individuals who volunteer on a CSU campus or with a CSU program are considered "Limited Reporters," a category of Mandated Reporter in accordance with California Penal Code § 11165.7(a)(41), and defined by the CSU as those who are legally required to report child abuse or neglect only if it occurs on CSU premises or at an official activity of, or program conducted by, the CSU.

Volunteers must complete and submit the "Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter Status and Legal Duty to Report Child Abuse and Neglect for Limited Reporters" form.

Mandated Reporters must report the following types of abuse or neglect:

• Physical abuse, meaning physical injury other than by accidental means inflicted on a child (Penal Code § 11165.6)
• Sexual assault, including sex acts with a child, intentional masturbation in the presence of a child, child molestation, and lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years of age or with a child under 16 years of age if the other person is at least ten years older than the child (Penal Code § 11165.1(a)(b))
• Sexual exploitation, including acts relating to child pornography, child prostitution, or performances involving obscene sexual conduct by a child (Penal Code § 11165.1(c)) 
• Statutory rape involving sexual intercourse between a child under 16 years of age and a person 21 years of age or older, which is also a form of “sexual assault” (Penal Code §§ 261.5(d) and 11165.1(a))
• Neglect meaning the negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by a parent, guardian or caretaker under circumstances indicating harm or threatened harm to the child's health or welfare (Penal Code § 11165.2)
• Willful harming or injuring or endangering a child, meaning a situation in which any person inflicts, or willfully causes or permits a child to suffer, unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or causes or permits a child to be placed in a situation in which the child or child's health is endangered (Penal Code § 11165.3)
• Unlawful corporal punishment, meaning a situation in which any person willfully inflicts upon a child cruel or inhuman corporal punishment or a physical injury (Penal Code § 11165.4)

The following are examples of what is not child abuse or neglect for reporting purposes:

• Injuries caused by two children fighting during a mutual altercation (Penal Code § 11165.6)
• An injury caused by reasonable and necessary force used by a peace officer acting within the course and scope of his or her employment (Penal Code § 11165.6)
• Reasonable and necessary force used by public school officials to quell a disturbance threatening physical injury to person or damage to property, for self-defense, or to obtain Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 Page 5 of 9 possession of weapons or other dangerous objects under a child’s control (Penal Code § 11165.4)
• Corporal punishment, unless it is cruel or inhuman or willfully inflicts a physical injury (Penal Code § 11165.4)
• Not receiving medical treatment for religious reasons (Penal Code § 11165.2(b))
• Acts performed for a valid medical purpose (Penal Code § 11165.1(b)(3))
• An informed and appropriate medical decision made by a parent, guardian or caretaker after consultation with a physician who has examined the child (Penal Code § 11165.2(b))

The CSU has made system-wide training available on the CSU Learn Training portal. 

Additionally, you may access information and telephone numbers to help you keep children safe in California through the Quick Reference Guide provided by LawRoom.