Section 3680.21. Reports of unusual incidents and child abuse

(a) The legal entity shall establish, and ensure adherence to, written policies and procedures relating to the reporting of unusual incidents and child abuse.

(b) The policies and procedures shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(1) The agency shall immediately report an incident of suspected child abuse to ChildLine under, 23 Pa.C.S. § § 6301—6384 (relating to the Child Protective Services Law).

(2) The agency shall provide information to a county child protective service (CPS) in compliance with the requirements of § 3490.56 (relating to CPS investigation of suspected child abuse perpetrated by persons employed or supervised by child caring agencies and residential facilities).

(3) The agency shall immediately submit an oral report of an incident involving the death of a child receiving services from the agency to the placing agency and to the appropriate regional office of the Department.

(4) Within 24 hours of the occurrence, or within the first succeeding business day after the occurrence, the agency shall submit an oral report of an injury to a child which requires inpatient hospitalization or which, in the opinion of the treating physician, may cause death, serious disability or disfigurement and an occurrence, such as a fire in a foster family home or a residential child care facility, which threatens the health or safety of a child or requires a facility providing residential child care to relocate children temporarily.

(5) The oral report required by paragraph (4) shall be submitted as follows:

(i) To the county agency, if the child is referred for services by a county agency.

(ii) To the court and the appropriate regional office of the Department, if the child is referred for services directly by the court.

(iii) To the appropriate regional office of the Department, if the child is referred for services directly by the parents.

(6) Reports required by paragraphs (3) and (4) shall be followed by written reports on forms provided by the Department within 5 calendar days of the occurrence of the incident. The written reports shall be submitted to the appropriate agencies as specified by paragraph (5).

(7) Oral and written reports required by this section shall provide, at a minimum, the name of the child involved and a full description of the circumstances surrounding the incident, including time, date, place, apparent cause and actions taken or proposed in response to the incident, such as arranging for temporary shelter or medical care and notifying the child’s parents if they are not the placing agency.

The provisions of this § 3680.21 adopted January 23, 1987, effective January 24, 1987, 17 Pa.B. 392.

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 3680.21 issued under Articles II, VII, IX and X of the Public Welfare Code (62 P. S. § § 201—211, 701—774, 901—922 and 1001—1080).