Section 152.3 Of Chapter 7. Other Offenses Against Public Justice From California Penal Code >> Title 7. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 7.
152.3
. (a) Any person who reasonably believes that he or she has
observed the commission of any of the following offenses where the
victim is a child under the age of 14 years shall notify a peace
officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of
Title 3 of Part 2:
(1) Murder.
(2) Rape.
(3) A violation of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 288
of the Penal Code.
(b) This section shall not be construed to affect privileged
relationships as provided by law.
(c) The duty to notify a peace officer imposed pursuant to
subdivision (a) is satisfied if the notification or an attempt to
provide notice is made by telephone or any other means.
(d) Failure to notify as required pursuant to subdivision (a) is a
misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not more than one
thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500), by imprisonment in a county
jail for not more than six months, or by both that fine and
imprisonment.
(e) The requirements of this section shall not apply to the
following:
(1) A person who is related to either the victim or the offender,
including a husband, wife, parent, child, brother, sister,
grandparent, grandchild, or other person related by consanguinity or
affinity.
(2) A person who fails to report based on a reasonable mistake of
fact.
(3) A person who fails to report based on a reasonable fear for
his or her own safety or for the safety of his or her family.