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Book Policy Manual
Section 4000 - Personnel Certified/Non-Certified
Title Reports of Suspected Abuse or Neglect of Adults With An Intellectual Disability or
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Code 4116.34
Status Active
Adopted October 1, 2017
Last Revised October 9, 2018
REPORTS OF SUSPECTED ABUSE OR NEGLECT OF ADULTS WITH AN INTELLECTUAL
DISABILITY OR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
Section 46a-11b of the Connecticut General Statutes requires that certain school personnel report any suspected abuse or
neglect of persons between eighteen (18) and sixty (60) years of age who: 1) have an intellectual disability or 2) receive
funding or services from the Department of Social Services’ (“DSS”) Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Services. In furtherance of this statute and its purpose, it is the policy of the Board of Education to require ALL
EMPLOYEES of the Board of Education to comply with the following procedures in the event that, in the ordinary
course of their employment or profession, they have reasonable cause to suspect that a person with an
intellectual disability or an individual receiving funding or services from DSS’ Division of Autism Spectrum
Disorder Services between eighteen (18) and sixty (60) years of age has been abused or neglected.
1. Scope of Policy
This policy applies not only to employees who are required by law to report suspected abuse and/or
neglect of adults with intellectual disabilities, but also to ALL EMPLOYEES of the Board of Education.
2. Definitions
For the purposes of this policy:
"Abuse " " means the willful infliction of physical pain or injury or the willful deprivation by a caretaker of services
which are necessary to the person's health or safety.
"Neglect" means a situation where a person with an intellectual disability either is living alone and is not able to
provide for himself or herself the services which are necessary to maintain his or her physical and mental health, or
is not receiving such necessary services from the caretaker.
"Statutory Mandated Reporter" means an individual required by Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 46a-11b to
report suspected abuse and/or neglect of adults with intellectual disabilities. In the public school context,
the term "statutory mandated reporter" includes teachers, school administrators, school guidance
counselors, paraprofessionals, registered or licensed practical nurses, psychologists, social workers,
licensed or certified substance abuse counselors, mental health professionals, physical therapists,
occupational therapists, dental hygienists, speech pathologists, and licensed professional counselors.
3. Reporting Procedures for Statutory Mandated Reporters
If a statutory mandated reporter has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any person with an intellectual
disability, or any individual who receives funding or services from DSS’ Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Services, between eighteen (18) and sixty (60) years of age has been abused or neglected, the mandated reporter
shall, as soon as practicable, but not later than seventy-two (72) hours after having reasonable cause to suspect
abuse or neglect, make an oral report to:
Abuse Investigation
Division Department of Developmental Services (“DDS”)
460 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
Telephone: 1-844-878-8923
The statutory mandated reporter shall also immediately notify the Superintendent.
Such initial oral report shall be followed by a written report to the Abuse Investigation Division of DDS not later than
five calendar days after the initial oral report was made, and a copy of any written report shall be given to the
Superintendent.
4. Reporting Procedures for Non-Statutory Mandated Reporters
The following procedures apply only to employees who are not statutory mandated reporters, as set forth above.
a. If an employee who is not a statutory mandated reporter has reasonable cause to suspect that any person
with an intellectual disability, or any individual who receives funding or services from the DSS’ Division of
Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, between eighteen (18) and sixty (60) years of age has been abused or
neglected, the following steps shall be taken.
i. The employee shall as soon as practicable, but not later than seventy-two (72) hours after having
reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect, make an oral report by telephone or in person to the
Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee, to be followed by an immediate written report to the
Superintendent or his/her designee.
ii. If the Superintendent or his/her designee determines that there is reasonable cause to suspect or
believe that any person with an intellectual disability, or any individual who receives funding or
services from the DSS’ Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, between eighteen (18) and
sixty (60) years has been abused or neglected, the Superintendent or designee shall cause reports to
be made in accordance with the procedures set forth for statutory mandated reporters, set forth
above.
b. Nothing in this policy shall be construed to preclude an employee from reporting suspected abuse and/or
neglect of adults with intellectual disabilities, or any individual who receives funding or services from the
DSS’ Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, directly to the Abuse Investigation Division of DDS.
5. Contents of Reports
Any oral or written report made pursuant to this policy shall contain the following information, if known:
a. the name and address of the allegedly abused or neglected person;
b. a statement from the reporter indicating a belief that the person is intellectually disabled or receives funding
or services from the DSS’ Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, together with information indicating
that the person is unable to protect himself or herself from abuse or neglect;
c. information concerning the nature and extent of the abuse or neglect; and
d. any additional information that the reporter believes would be helpful in investigating the report or in
protecting the person with an intellectual disability or who receives funding or services from the DSS’ Division
of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services.
6. Investigation of the Report
If the suspected abuser is a school employee, the Superintendent shall thoroughly investigate the report, and shall,
to the extent feasible, endeavor to coordinate any such investigation with the investigation conducted by the Abuse
Investigation Division of DDS.
The Superintendent's investigation shall include an opportunity for the suspected abuser to be heard with respect to
the allegations contained within the report. During the course of an investigation of suspected abuse by a school
employee, the Superintendent may suspend the employee with pay or may place the employee on administrative
leave with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation.
If the investigation by the Superintendent and/or the Abuse Investigation Division of DDS produces evidence that a
person with an intellectual disability, or any individual who receives funding or services from the DSS’ Division of
Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, has been abused by a school employee, the Superintendent and/or the Board,
as appropriate, may take disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
7. Delegation of Authority by Superintendent
The Superintendent may appoint a designee for the purposes of receiving and making reports, notifying and
receiving notification, or investigating reports pursuant to this policy.
8. Disciplinary Action for Failure to Follow Policy
Any employee who fails to comply with the requirements of this policy shall be subject to discipline, up to and
including termination of employment.
9. Non-discrimination Policy
The Board of Education shall not discharge or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against any
employee who, in good faith, makes a report pursuant to this policy, or testifies or is about to testify in any
proceeding involving abuse or neglect.
Legal Section 46a-11a
Section 46a-11b et seq.