IN HENNEPIN AND RAMSEY COUNTIES 1,285 CASES OF PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE WERE REPORTED BETWEEN 1971 AND 1977, 396 CASES IN THE TWO COUNTIES IN 1975 ALONE. THE 1975 MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATURE ENACTED A NEW MALTREATMENT OF MINORS REPORTING LAW WHICH CLARIFIED THE DEFINITION OF ABUSE AND EXPANDED IT TO INCLUDE SEXUAL ABUSE. IT INCLUDED AS ABUSE THE EXISTENCE OF ANY PHYSICAL INJURY TO A CHILD WHICH CANNOT BE REASONABLY EXPLAINED BY THE PARENT OR OTHER RESPONSIBLE ADULT. THE NEW LAW ALSO EXPANDED THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE MANDATED TO REPORT SUSPECTED ABUSE CASES TO INCLUDE ANY PROFESSIONAL OR HIS DELEGATE WHO IS ENGAGED IN THE HEALING ARTS, SOCIAL SERVICES, HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION, PSYCHOLOGY, CHILD CARE, EDUCATION, OR LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE LAW ALSO PROVIDED FOR VOLUNTARY REPORTING OF NEGLECT. THESE CHANGES IN THE LAW AND THE INCREASE IN REPORTED CASES WILL AFFECT THE ROLE OF THE PHYSICIAN IN THE PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. THIS ROLE PRIMARILY INVOLVES AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM OF MALTREATMENT, JUDGMENT ABOUT SUSPECT CASES REPORTED, DOCUMENTATION OF INJURIES, AND COMMUNICATION AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH THE PROBLEM. REFERENCES ARE GIVEN. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--MJW)