Final answer:
Under California Law, a mandated reporter who fails to report is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
Step-by-step explanation:
In California Law, mandated reporters are individuals who have a legal duty to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. Answering the student's question, according to California law, a mandated reporter who knowingly and willfully fails to report is guilty of a misdemeanor. This crime is punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of $1,000. This consequence serves several socio-legal functions such as deterrence, which is to discourage individuals from failing to take action, similar to historical and other theoretical examples where failing to report certain actions might've been met with severe sanctions or where reporting can potentially net rewards.