(1) Every licensed hospital admitting or treating shall adopt and incorporate a policy that requires every staff member to report any case of actual or suspected child abuse or neglect pursuant to chapter 39, F.S.
- (a) Each report of actual or suspected child abuse or neglect shall be made immediately to the Department of Children and Family Services’ Florida Abuse Hotline, statewide toll free number 1(800)962-2873 or to the local office of the Department of Children and Family Services responsible for investigating such reports.
- (b) Any person required to report suspected child abuse or neglect, who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child died as a result of abuse or neglect, shall report his suspicion to the local medical examiner.
- (2) Each hospital admitting or treating children shall designate, at the request of the Department of Children and Family Services, a staff physician, APRN or PA to act as a liaison between the hospital, the child protective investigator and the child protection team.
- (3) Child Abuse and Neglect Policy Reporting. Each hospital admitting or treating children shall formulate a child abuse and neglect policy and shall submit a copy of this policy to the Department of Children and Family Services, Office of Family Safety, 1317 Winewood Boulevard – Building 1, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0700.
- (4) Remedies. Failure to comply with these rules will result in a fine being imposed in accordance with the provisions of Sections 395.1023 and 39.205, F.S.
Rulemaking Authority 395.1055 FS. Law Implemented 395.1023, 395.1055 FS. History–New 4-17-97, Formerly 59A-3.0465, Amended 10-16-14.