§ 901 — Purpose

The child welfare policy of this State serves to advance the best interests and secure the safety of the child, while preserving the family unit whenever the safety of the child is not jeopardized. The child welfare policy of this State extends to all child victims, whether victims of intrafamilial or extrafamilial child abuse, neglect, or human trafficking. To that end this chapter, among other things, does all of the following:

(1) Provides for comprehensive, multidisciplinary investigative and protective services for abused and neglected children and children who are victims of suspected human trafficking.

(2) Mandates that reports of child abuse, neglect, or suspected human trafficking be made to the appropriate authorities.

(3) Requires various agencies in Delaware’s child protection system to work together to ensure the safety of children who are the subject of reports of abuse, neglect, or suspected human trafficking by conducting coordinated multidisciplinary investigations where required, judicial proceedings and family assessments, and by providing necessary services.

(4) Provides for the protection of children in facilities or organizations primarily concerned with child welfare and care that are required to be licensed under Delaware law by requiring the Delaware Department of Justice to notify any such facility where an employee of, or other person associated with, the facility has been charged with or convicted of an offense involving child sexual abuse, exploitation, or human trafficking.

Legislative History

16 Del. C. 1953, § 1001; 58 Del. Laws, c. 154 ; 60 Del. Laws, c. 494, § 1 ; 68 Del. Laws, c. 440, § 1 ; 71 Del. Laws, c. 199, § 2 ; 78 Del. Laws, c. 403, § 1 ; 81 Del. Laws, c. 144, § 1 ; 85 Del. Laws, c. 128, § 2