Opinion No. (1995)

Dear Representative Hamilton,

¶ 0 This office has received your letter requesting an official Opinion addressing, in effect, the following question:

Does a psychotherapist who has reason to believe a child has been injured as a result of abuse or neglect, either current or historical, have any discretion in whether to report such information?

¶ 1 Your inquiry specifically references the child abuse mandatory reporting statute, 21 O.S.Supp. 1994, § 846[21-846]. Section 846 provides in pertinent part:

A. 1. Every:

a. physician or surgeon, including doctors of medicine and dentistry, licensed…