Cross-Reporting Among Agencies That Respond to Child Abuse and Neglect - Connecticut

Cross-Reporting Between Child Protective Services and Law Enforcement

Citation: Ann. Stat. §§ 17a-101b; 17a-101h

An oral or electronic report shall be made by a mandated reporter as soon as practicable but no later than 12 hours after the mandated reporter has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a child has been abused or neglected or placed in imminent risk of serious harm. An oral report shall be made by telephone or in person to the Commissioner of Children and Families or a law enforcement agency. If a law enforcement agency receives an oral report, it shall immediately notify the commissioner. An electronic report shall be made in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. A mandated reporter who makes an electronic report pursuant to this section shall respond to further inquiries.

If the commissioner receives a report alleging sexual abuse or serious physical abuse, including, but not limited to, a report that (1) a child has died, (2) a child has been sexually assaulted, (3) a child has suffered brain damage or loss or serious impairment of a bodily function or organ, (4) a child has been sexually exploited, or (5) a child has suffered serious nonaccidental physical injury, the commissioner shall, within 12 hours of receipt of such report, notify the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary, any person authorized to conduct an investigation of abuse or neglect shall coordinate investigatory activities in order to minimize the number of interviews of any child and share information with other persons authorized to conduct an investigation of child abuse or neglect, as appropriate.

Other Reporting Requirements

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 17a-101b; Pol. Man., # 21-17

Whenever a mandated reporter has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child has been abused or neglected by a member of the staff of a public or private institution or facility that provides care for such child or a public or private school, the mandated reporter shall report as required by this section. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall notify the principal, headmaster, executive director, or other person in charge of such institution, facility, or school, unless such person is the alleged perpetrator of the abuse or neglect of the child. In the case of a public school, the commissioner shall also notify the person's employing superintendent. The person in charge shall then immediately notify the child's parent or other person responsible for the child's care that a report has been made.

In policy: The Indian Child Welfare Act applies to the following types of court cases:

• Neglect and other similar issues that may result in foster care
• Termination of parental rights Guardianships and adoptions

The social worker shall make diligent efforts to identify if a child is a member of a Tribe or may be eligible for membership in a Tribe. The social worker shall inquire of each parent and the child, if applicable, as to their Native American ancestry.

For any child who the Department of Children and Families (DCF) knows is an Indian child or for whom DCF has information that gives reason to believe the child may be Tribal eligible, DCF shall provide written notice when filing neglect/uncared for and termination of parental rights petitions.

The required notice shall be sent by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested to the applicable federally recognized Tribe(s) itself. A copy of the notice shall be sent via registered or certified mail with return receipt requested to the following:

• Each parent
• Any Native American person who is custodian of the child
• The regional director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior