The rules changed

[VentMedic]

I new someone would pull the wording apart on that. MA actually calls it "duty to act" within the actual law that was quoted...directly copied & pasted from the MA General Laws. "Chapter 265: Section 13L. Wanton or reckless behavior creating a risk of serious bodily injury or sexual abuse to a child; duty to act;" So I guess they are thinking it is a duty to act, as in, report it!
I love how we all get so nit picky ~

No, it is sad that EMS programs and the states have not done a better job of keeping members of the EMS community better informed.

All 50 states have "duty to report" laws on the books when it comes to child abuse. Healthcare workers are definitely included as are governmental employees and many others. There are other issues that also include a duty to report. Florida has mandated certain CEUs courses for license renewal through the years, and still does, to keep people in EMS/healthcare professionals more informed about state legislation that directly affects them.

There are also laws on the books in many states concerning the obligations of citizens to report a violent crime. That stems from some very horrific acts of violence against a person that was witnessed by many but no one provided witness or assistance in any way including the calling of 911.

Since Halloween is coming up and that is the anniversary of very tragic event in Florida, here's the article again. The difference is this is on duty but the same rules for personal safety apply.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080103/OPINION/801030605/
Lingering Halloween nightmare
Published: Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 2:24 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 12:00 a.m.

The decisions made by Manatee County paramedics at a retention pond Halloween night remain the subject of intense public debate two months later. The reasons behind those decisions should be the subject of intense scrutiny -- and action -- by public officials in the months ahead.

As the Herald-Tribune's Anthony Cormier recounted in an article published Monday, Schoolfield had drowned by the time the first rescue worker -- a paramedic -- arrived. But Thomas was still struggling in the water.

The paramedic didn't jump in to try to rescue him, and neither did members of the ambulance crew who arrived next. Finally, two firefighters -- who reached the scene about four minutes after the 911 call -- jumped in but, by then, were unable to find the man.

 

[micsaver]

here is one MA law that describes how you would have a "duty to act" in a criminal situation where there is abuse of another person...in this case a child. There are also elder abuse laws.
Chapter 265: Section 13L. Wanton or reckless behavior creating a risk of serious bodily injury or sexual abuse to a child; duty to act; ----Whoever wantonly or recklessly engages in conduct that creates a substantial risk of serious bodily injury or sexual abuse to a child or wantonly or recklessly fails to take reasonable steps to alleviate such risk where there is a duty to act shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 21/2 years.

Some of us are talking about "On duty" requirements, some are talking about "off duty" requirements. MA laws use the wording "duty to act" and "duty to report" seemingly interchangeably. Below is a link to all 50 states information about "duty to REPORT" laws.

http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cach...ws&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=18&gl=us&client=firefox-a

MA General laws can be found at http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/

 

[reaper]

"Chapter 265: Section 13L. Wanton or reckless behavior creating a risk of serious bodily injury or sexual abuse to a child; duty to act; ----Whoever wantonly or recklessly engages in conduct that creates a substantial risk of serious bodily injury or sexual abuse to a child or wantonly or recklessly fails to take reasonable steps to alleviate such risk where there is a duty to act shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 21/2 years."

Yes, "reasonable steps" are reporting it!

No states require you to take physical actions, whether "on duty" or "off duty. You cannot be required to place yourself in harms way.

You are required to report it to the proper authorities. Nothing more.

 

[micsaver]

"Yes, "reasonable steps" are reporting it!

No states require you to take physical actions, whether "on duty" or "off duty. You cannot be required to place yourself in harms way.

You are required to report it to the proper authorities. Nothing more.

BINGO!!!! We have a winner