THE PURPOSES OF THIS SUGGESTED LEGISLATION ARE: TO ENCOURAGE COMPLETE REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES BY ALL PERSONS WHO HAVE CONTACT WITH YOUNG CHILDREN; TO ENCOURAGE A THERAPEUTIC AND TREATMENT ORIENTED APPROACH TO CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, RATHER THAN A PUNITIVE APPROACH; TO ENCOURAGE UNIFORMITY IN TERMS AND CONCEPTS AND TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATION AMONG STATES; AND TO ENABLE EACH STATE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION. THE MODEL ACT OUTLINED IN THIS BOOKLET CONTAINS PROVISIONS DEALING WITH PERSONS MANDATED TO REPORT SUSPECTED ABUSE AND NEGLECT, MANDATORY REPORTING, PROTECTIVE CUSTODY, REPORTING PROCEDURES, IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR THOSE WHO REPORT CHILD ABUSE, AND ABROGATION OF PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS. ALSO COVERED IN THIS MODEL LEGISLATION ARE PROVISIONS ON FAILURE TO REPORT, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, STATE AND LOCAL CHILD PROTECTION TEAMS, THE CENTRAL REGISTRY FOR CHILD ABUSE, AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS.