What is the Impact of Mandatory Reporting Legislation on IRB-approved Research?
The Oregon legislature passed a bill this year which will add all employees of higher education institutions to the list of “mandatory reporters” of child abuse. The law goes into effect January 1, 2013.
In situations where conditions of child abuse or neglect might be revealed to OSU researchers, mandatory reporters should make themselves known as such to study participants. If you are conducting research involving human subjects and the nature of the study or target population lends itself to the possibility that mandatory reporting may be required of the study team, please contact the IRB Office regarding the potential need for a project revision.
Student researchers (who are not also OSU employees) are not considered “mandatory reporters.” However, Principal Investigators overseeing student-driven research are responsible for complying with the law.
For more information, please refer to the FAQs developed by Human Resources.