Time Frame for Commencing and Completing the 51B Response
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) The Department shall commence an emergency response within two hours of receipt of the report by the Department and shall complete the emergency response within five business days of receipt.
- (2) The Department shall commence the response for a non-emergency report within two business days of receipt of the report by the Department. The Department shall complete the non-emergency response within 15 business days of receipt of the report, unless extended in accordance with Department's Protective Intake Policy.
- (3) The result of all 51B responses shall be in writing, entered onto a standard "51B response" form as established by the Department, which may be electronic.