Arizona law to tighten mandatory reporting requirements in schools

By Philip Haldiman
Mail | X: @PhilipHaldiman

As the new school year ramps up this summer, an Arizona law that will tighten rules for mandatory reporting in an effort to help children suffering from neglect or abuse will become effective Sept. 12.

The bill was signed into law by Gov. Katie Hobbs during the last legislative session.

It requires mandatory reporters to report child abuse to the Department of Child Safety or law enforcement immediately and personally, rather than delegating the reporting.
Assuming that wrongdoing has been reported is no longer a legal defense under the new language.

Mandatory reporting is a legal requirement for certain professionals in various fields including education and health care when there is known or suspected abuse, neglect, or harm involving vulnerable populations.

Under Arizona law, mandatory reporting requires only a “reasonable belief” or suspicion that abuse or neglect occurred, not definitive evidence or concrete proof.

Mandatory reporting has become a hot-button issue in recent years, particularly in schools, which have experienced sexual misconduct among staff toward children enter the public arena.

Peoria, Scottsdale and Deer Valley unified school districts have made headlines in the last two years due to sexual misconduct from staff members.

Sen. Carine Werner, who sponsored the bill, said it adds requirements to mandatory reporting that expedites matters in keeping children safe.

“SB 1127 came out of our investigation into breakdowns in Arizona’s child protection system, where we found that critical information could be delayed or weakened when someone with direct knowledge passed the responsibility to report along to someone else,” Werner said.

Peoria Unified School District has been under the microscope regarding mandatory reporting since Centennial High teachers Haley Beck and Angela Burlaka were investigated last year for sexual misconduct with a former varsity football quarterback.

The teachers have been investigated through the district’s Title IX process, through Peoria Unified Human Resources, and by the Peoria Police Department.

The teachers no longer work for the district, but the incidents sparked debate over mandatory reporting.

The scandal has driven a wedge between those who say Centennial administrators did not follow mandatory reporting laws and those who say those laws were not violated.

While the teachers have pending charges with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Peoria Police have shifted its investigation to mandatory reporting.

Werner said the “troubling allegations” involving Peoria Unified further underscored why the clarifications of Senate Bill 1127 were needed.

“When school personnel have direct knowledge of suspected abuse or sexual misconduct involving a student, there should be no confusion about who must act or whether telling an administrator or school resource officer is enough. This law requires that person to immediately report the information to the proper authorities, helping ensure warning signs aren’t missed and children in danger receive attention as quickly as possible,” Werner said.

PUSD spokesperson Danielle Airey said the district has implemented SB 1127 with training provided to all administrators prior to the start of school, followed by the launch of the district’s annual trainings for all employees.

Airey said the district takes student safety and the district’s legal obligations around mandatory reporting very seriously.

“Peoria Unified goes beyond the legal minimum,” she said. “Every employee completes two mandated-reporter training courses each year — one online course requiring a passing score of at least 80%, and one delivered in person. All new employees also receive mandated-reporter training directly from human resources during new employee orientation.”

Under the new rules, the existing consequences remain the same if violated: a class 1 misdemeanor, which rises to a class 6 felony depending on the circumstances.

Peoria Unified governing board member Heather Rooks said she supports SB 1127 because protecting children must always come before protecting careers, reputations, or institutions.

“With Peoria Unified under investigation by the Peoria Police Department involving allegations of failure to report at Centennial High School, our community deserves the full truth and complete accountability, no matter where that accountability leads. If anyone knowingly failed to report, concealed evidence, or covered up crimes committed against children, there must be consequences.”

Senior News Editor Philip Haldiman can be reached at phaldiman@iniusa.org, or on X @philiphaldiman. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

Philip Haldiman
Senior News Editor | Peoria

phaldiman@iniusa.org

Meet Philip
Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.

Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.

Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater. 

Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.

Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.