This booklet presents a summary of state child protection statutes that have been enacted, amended or revised through the 1978 legislative session. Reporting statutes of each of the 50 states were analyzed and 13 elements of the child abuse reporting process were identified and discussed: (1) what elements of child abuse must be reported, (2) who must report suspected cases of child abuse, (3) when a report must be made, (4) to whom a report must be made, (5) immunity for good faith reports, (6) penalty for not making a mandated report, (7) abrogation of privileged communications, (8) color photographs and x-rays, (9) temporary protective custody/emergency removal, (10) central registry, (11) child protection teams, (12) guardian ad litem/counsel, and (13) public education. Included is a chart which indicates which of these 13 elements are contained in the protection acts of each state. (JMB)