1. (a) Through a written protocol or agreement, the department shall designate the public or private agencies primarily responsible for investigating reports involving a child who:

   1. (1) may be a victim of child abuse or neglect; and
   2. (2) is under the care of a public or private institution.

2. (b) The designated agency must be different from and separately administered from the agency involved in the alleged act or omission. Subject to this limitation, the agency:

   1. (1) may be:

      1. (A) the department; or
      2. (B) a law enforcement agency; and

   2. (2) may not be the office of the prosecuting attorney.

      [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-11-16(a).]

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.16. Amended by P.L.234-2005, SEC.128.