What do reporting requirements NOT apply to?

Reporting requirements are often implemented to protect vulnerable populations and ensure public safety, and they typically are focused on specific circumstances or groups. Competent adults generally do not fall under the same mandatory reporting requirements as children or certain vulnerable populations. Under the law, reporting obligations often target individuals who may be unable to protect themselves due to age, health status, or specific situations, such as emergency scenarios or instances involving substance abuse.

In contrast, children under 18 are typically protected by mandatory reporting laws, which are designed to report instances of abuse, neglect, or harm. Emergency situations necessitate reporting due to the immediacy of the threat to health and safety, while substance abuse patients may also have specialized reporting requirements in place to protect their well-being and to comply with regulations pertaining to the care of vulnerable individuals.

Thus, reporting requirements primarily aim to safeguard non-competent populations, making competent adults the group that does not face the same level of mandatory reporting obligations.