41-3-202. Action on reporting. (1) Upon receipt of a report that a child is or has been abused or neglected, the department shall promptly assess the information contained in the report and make a determination regarding the level of response required and the timeframe within which action must be initiated. If the department determines that an investigation is required, a social worker, the county attorney, or a peace officer shall promptly conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the allegations of abuse or neglect of the child. The investigation may include an investigation at the home of the child involved, the child's school or day-care facility, or any other place where the child is present and into all other nonfinancial matters that in the discretion of the investigator are relevant to the investigation. In conducting an investigation under this section, a social worker may not inquire into the financial status of the child's family or of any other person responsible for the child's care, except as necessary to ascertain eligibility for state or federal assistance programs or to comply with the provisions of 41-3-446.
     (2) An initial investigation of alleged abuse or neglect may be conducted when an anonymous report is received. However, the investigation must within 48 hours develop independent, corroborative, and attributable information in order for the investigation to continue. Without the development of independent, corroborative, and attributable information, a child may not be removed from the home.
     (3) The social worker is responsible for assessing the family and planning for the child. If the child is treated at a medical facility, the social worker, county attorney, or peace officer, consistent with reasonable medical practice, has the right of access to the child for interviews, photographs, and securing physical evidence and has the right of access to relevant hospital and medical records pertaining to the child. If a child interview is considered necessary, the social worker, county attorney, or peace officer may conduct an interview of the child. The interview may be conducted in the presence of the parent or guardian or an employee of the school or day-care facility attended by the child.
     (4) Subject to 41-3-205(3), if the child's interview is audiotaped or videotaped, an unedited audiotape or videotape with audio track must be made available, upon request, for unencumbered review by the family.
     (5) (a) If from the investigation the department has reasonable cause to suspect that the child suffered abuse or neglect, the department may provide protective services to the child pursuant to 41-3-301 and may provide protective services to any other child under the same care. The department shall:
     (i) after interviewing the parent or guardian, if reasonably available, document its determination regarding abuse or neglect of a child; and
     (ii) notify the child's family of its investigation and determination, unless the notification can reasonably be expected to result in harm to the child or other person.
     (b) If from the investigation it is determined that the child has not suffered abuse or neglect and the initial report is determined to be unfounded, the department and the social worker, county attorney, or peace officer who conducted the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the allegations of abuse or neglect shall destroy all of their records concerning the report and the investigation. The destruction must be completed within 30 days of the determination that the child has not suffered abuse or neglect.
     (6) The investigating social worker, within 60 days of commencing an investigation, shall also furnish a written report to the department and, upon request, to the family. Subject to subsection (5)(b), the department shall maintain a record system documenting investigations and determinations of child abuse and neglect cases.
     (7) Any person reporting abuse or neglect that involves acts or omissions on the part of a public or private residential institution, home, facility, or agency is responsible for ensuring that the report is made to the department through its local office.

     History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 178, L. 1965; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 292, L. 1973; Sec. 10-903, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 10-1305 by Sec. 14, Ch. 328, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 10-1305; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 543, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 567, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 609, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 126, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 329, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 146, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 163, Ch. 546, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 564, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 514, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 516, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 566, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 311, L. 2001.