Regulation 5504-1

Student Welfare

Child Abuse - Neglect

Reviewed and affirmed by the Board: 
Last Revision: 
Original publish date: 05/25/2010
Related policies & regulations:  
Legal references:  28-710, 28-711

 

Nebraska Statutes define child abuse and neglect as knowingly, intentionally, or negligently causing or permitting a minor child to be, as follows:

1. Placed in a situation that endangers their life or physical or mental health;
2. Cruelly confined or cruelly punished;
3. Deprived of necessary food, clothing, shelter or care;
4. Left unattended in a motor vehicle if such minor child is six years of age or younger;
5. Placed in a situation to be sexually abused; or
6. Placed in a situation to be sexually exploited through sex trafficking of a minor as defined in section 28-830 or by allowing, encouraging or forcing such person to solicit for or engage in prostitution, debauchery, public indecency or obscene or pornographic photography, films or depictions; or
7. Placed in a situation to be a trafficking victim as defined in section 28-830.

All employees and administrators will fully cooperate with the law enforcement agencies and the Department of Health and Human Services with regard to alleged abuse or neglect. Under Nebraska Statutes a person making a report under this section is immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed except for maliciously false statements. Failure to make the report as required by the Nebraska Statutes with regard to alleged child abuse or neglect does constitute a Class III misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of three-month imprisonment and a $500 fine. An employee who fails to make a report when required to do so, or to inform a supervisor of the situation in order that a report may be made, shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.