June 12, 2026 | Criminal Law
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school that receives federal funding. While most people associate it with athletics, the law also covers serious issues like sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. One of the most significant parts of Title IX is its mandatory reporting requirement, which can set off a chain of events with major legal consequences.
If you are connected to a school in Kentucky in any way, learning about how mandatory reporting works is important. Read on for a closer look at what this all means and how it could affect you.
Who Is Considered a Mandatory Reporter Under Title IX?
Certain school employees are classified as “responsible employees” under Title IX. These individuals are required to notify the school’s Title IX coordinator whenever they learn about possible sexual misconduct.
Common examples of mandatory reporters include:
- Teachers
- Professors
- Academic advisors
- Coaches
- Athletic staff
- Administrators
- Department heads
- Deans
- Resident advisors in campus housing
Under current Title IX requirements, many K-12 school employees who are not designated as confidential employees may have reporting obligations when they learn of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination.
How Kentucky Law Adds to the Equation
Kentucky has its own mandatory reporting laws that may apply in addition to those at the federal level. Per KRS 620.030, any person in Kentucky who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child is being abused or neglected must report it immediately. This duty is not limited to school employees. It applies to everyone.
Reports can be made to local law enforcement, the Kentucky State Police, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, or the county attorney. The penalties for knowingly failing to report are significant:
- A first offense is a Class B misdemeanor.
- A second offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
- Each offense after that is a Class D felony.
Since these state reporting obligations overlap with Title IX in cases involving minors, a single incident at a school in Kentucky can trigger multiple reporting requirements at once.
How a Title IX Report Can Affect a Criminal Case
A Title IX investigation is not a criminal case. It is handled by the school, not by the police and prosecutors. However, the two can overlap in ways that many people do not expect. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Information that comes out during a Title IX investigation can be shared with law enforcement. If the conduct in question also violates criminal law, prosecutors may file charges based on what the school uncovered.
- Statements you make during the school’s investigation are not protected the same way they would be in a criminal case. What you say to a Title IX investigator could potentially be used against you in court.
- The consequences of a Title IX finding alone can be severe, including expulsion if you are a college student or the loss of your job if you are an employee.
The stakes are high in these cases. Anyone facing a Title IX complaint should speak with a criminal defense attorney before making any statements during the school’s process.
Contact a Lexington Title IX Defense Lawyer at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers for Help With Your Case
A Title IX complaint can have serious consequences on its own, from damaged academic standing to loss of employment. However, when a mandatory report also leads to criminal charges, the stakes become even higher.
An experienced Lexington Title IX defense attorney can help you understand how both processes work and protect your rights at every stage of what’s to come. For more information, contact the Title IX defense attorneys at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers. Give us a call today at (859) 569-4014 or visit us at our Lexington law office.
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers – Lexington
333 West Vine Street #212,
Lexington, KY 40507
(859) 569-4014