Screening of Reports of Alleged Abuse or Neglect
Effective Jan 6, 2023Mass. Register #1486MGL c. 18B MGL c. 66A MGL c. 119, §§ 23(A), 51A through F, 39E through J MGL c. 210, § 2Massachusetts Department of Children & Families
(1) Upon receipt of a 51A report, the Department shall, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 119, § 51B, immediately gather information related to the report, referred to as "screening a report". The purpose of screening a report is to:
- (a) Identify children at risk of abuse or neglect from a caregiver or at risk of sexual exploitation or human trafficking;
- (b) Gather information necessary to make a screening decision as to whether the Department should initiate a response pursuant to M.G.L. c. 119, § 51B;
- (c) Determine if an emergency 51B response is required;
- (d) Complete any mandatory referrals to the District Attorney, or local law enforcement; and,
- (e) Refer the reporter to other authorities, including the police, District Attorney, licensing agency, as applicable.
- (2) Reports involving Department employees, household or family members of Department employees, foster parents, pre-adoptive parents, or Area Board members shall be screened in accordance with 110 CMR 4.23.
- (3) Timeframe. The screening decision is made within one business day, unless an additional day is needed to obtain specific piece of information from a collateral contact to make the screening decision.