(1) The legislature finds parents and children often are not aware of their due process rights when agencies are investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect. The legislature reaffirms that all citizens, including parents, shall be afforded due process, that protection of children remains the priority of the legislature, and that this protection includes protecting the family unit from unnecessary disruption. To facilitate this goal, the legislature wishes to ensure that parents and children be advised in writing and orally, if feasible, of their basic rights and other specific information as set forth in this chapter, provided that nothing contained in this chapter shall cause any delay in protective custody action. (2) The department shall notify the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a child of any allegations of child abuse or neglect made against such person at the initial point of contact with such person, in a manner consistent with the laws maintaining the confidentiality of the persons making the complaints or allegations. Investigations of child abuse and neglect should be conducted in a manner that will not jeopardize the safety or protection of the child or the integrity of the investigation process. Whenever the department completes an investigation of a child abuse or neglect report under this chapter, the department shall notify the subject of the report of the department's investigative findings. The notice shall also advise the subject of the report that: (a) A written response to the report may be provided to the department and that such response will be filed in the record following receipt by the department; (b) Information in the department's record may be considered in subsequent investigations or proceedings related to child protection or child custody; (c) Founded reports of child abuse and neglect may be considered in determining whether the person is disqualified from being licensed to provide child care, employed by a licensed child care agency, or authorized by the department to care for children; and (d) A subject named in a founded report of child abuse or neglect has the right to seek review of the finding as provided in this chapter. (3) The founded finding notification required by this section shall be made by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person's last known address. (4) The unfounded finding notification required by this section must be made by regular mail to the person's last known address or by email. (5) The duty of notification created by this section is subject to the ability of the department to ascertain the location of the person to be notified. The department shall exercise reasonable, good faith efforts to ascertain the location of persons entitled to notification under this section. (6) The department shall provide training to all department personnel who conduct investigations under this section that shall include, but is not limited to, training regarding the legal duties of the department from the initial time of contact during investigation through treatment in order to protect children and families. [ 2017 c 269 s 2; 2005 c 512 s 1; 1998 c 314 s 8; 1997 c 282 s 2; 1993 c 412 s 17; 1985 c 183 s 1.]
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