§ 26-14-7 — Duties of Department of Human Resources

(a) The State or County Department of Human Resources shall make a thorough investigation promptly upon either the oral or written report. The primary purpose of such an investigation shall be the protection of the child.
(b) The investigation, to the extent that is reasonably possible, shall include:
(1) The nature, extent and cause of the child abuse or neglect;
(2) The identity of the person responsible therefor;
(3) The names and conditions of other children in the home;
(4) An evaluation of the parents or person responsible for the care of the child;
(5) The home environment and the relationship of the child or children to the parents or other persons responsible for their care; and
(6) All other data deemed pertinent.
(c) The investigation may include a visit to the child’s home, an interview with the subject child, and may include a physical, psychological, or psychiatric examination of any child or children in that home. If the admission to the home, school, or any other place that the child may be, or permission of the parent or other persons responsible for the child or children, for the physical, psychological, or psychiatric examination, cannot be obtained, then a court of competent jurisdiction, upon cause shown, shall order the parents or persons responsible and in charge of any place where the child may be to allow the interview, examinations, and investigation. If, before the examination is complete, the opinion of the investigators is that immediate removal is necessary to protect a child or children from further abuse or neglect, a court of competent jurisdiction, on petition by the investigators and with good cause being shown, shall issue an order for temporary removal and custody.
(d) The county department of human resources shall make a complete written report of the investigation, together with its recommendations. Such reports may be made available to the appropriate court, the district attorney, and the appropriate law enforcement agency upon request. The county department of human resources shall make a written report or case summary, together with services offered and accepted to the state’s central registry on forms supplied by the registry for that purpose.

Legislative History

(Acts 1975, No. 1124, p. 2213, §1.)