§ 31-36-3-3 — Notification to department; investigation of a child; notification to parents

(a) Except as provided in subsection (d), if a
child voluntarily enters an emergency shelter or a shelter care facility,
the shelter or facility shall notify the department, not later than
twenty-four (24) hours after the child enters the shelter or facility, of
the following:
(1) The name of the child.
(2) The location of the shelter or facility.
(3) Whether the child alleges that the child is the subject of abuse
or neglect.
(b) The department shall conduct an investigation concerning the
child not later than forty-eight (48) hours after receiving notification
from the emergency shelter or shelter care facility under subsection (a).
(c) The department shall notify the child's parent, guardian, or
custodian that the child is in an emergency shelter or a shelter care
facility not later than seventy-two (72) hours after the child enters the
shelter or facility. However, if the department has reason to believe that
the child is a victim of child abuse or neglect, the department may not
notify the child's parent, guardian, or custodian as to the specific shelter
or facility the child has entered.
(d) An emergency shelter or a shelter care facility is not required to
notify the department of a child who is an emancipated minor.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.133-2008, SEC.11.