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Title 34 — NavyRelease 119-73not60

§20342 Federal Immunity

Title 34 › Subtitle Subtitle II— Protection of Children and Other Persons › Chapter 203— VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE › Subchapter IV— REPORTING REQUIREMENTS › § 20342

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Protects people who, in good faith, report suspected or known child abuse or neglect to the proper authorities or who give information or help tied to such a report (including medical exams or consultations). Those people cannot be sued or face federal criminal charges for making the report or for providing that help. If someone is sued or charged in federal court for reporting or helping as described above, the court will assume they acted in good faith. If the person wins a federal civil case about the report, the court may order the other side to pay the person’s costs and reasonable lawyer fees.

Full Legal Text

Title 34, §20342

Navy — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(1)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any individual making a good faith report to appropriate authorities of a suspected or known instance of child abuse or neglect, or who otherwise, in good faith, provides information or assistance, including medical evaluations or consultations, in connection with a report, investigation, or legal intervention pursuant to a good faith report of child abuse or neglect shall not be subject to civil liability or criminal prosecution, under any Federal law, rising from making such report or providing such information or assistance.
(2)In a Federal civil action or criminal prosecution brought against a person based on the person’s reporting a suspected or known instance of child abuse or neglect, or providing information or assistance with respect to such a report, as described in paragraph (1), there shall be a presumption that the person acted in good faith.
(3)If the defendant prevails in a Federal civil action described in paragraph (2), the court may award costs and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the defendant.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was enacted as part of the Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2018, and not as part of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 which comprises this chapter.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

34 U.S.C. § 20342

Title 34 — Navy

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60