The department shall provide for 24-hour receipt of reports of a child alleged to be exposed to harm or threats of harm by a parent, guardian, or custodian responsible for the child's care and reports of child abuse or neglect through agreements with law enforcement agencies or other community-based agencies. The department shall provide immediate or prompt assessment or investigation of reports made to the department by any person who makes a report under the provisions of SDCL 26-8A-3 alleging that a child is in need of protective services. The department shall offer protective services to the family and may make referral to the court of competent jurisdiction upon confirmation of need for child protective services. If a report received by the department implicates involvement of a foster parent or person employed by the department, the department shall request a review of the report by the state's attorney.

Editor's Note: The Legislative Research Council substituted "SDCL 26-8A-3" for "SDCL 26-10-10" and "SDCL 26-8A-9" for "SDCL 26-10-12.1" in the text in this section pursuant to the transfers accomplished by SL 1991, ch 217, §§ 112B and 118B, effective July 1, 1991.

Source: 2 SDR 49, effective January 7, 1976; 3 SDR 38, effective November 23, 1976; 7 SDR 66, 7 SDR 89, effective July 1, 1981; 37 SDR 222, effective June 7, 2011; 44 SDR 94, effective December 4, 2017.

General Authority: SDCL 26-4-7.

Law Implemented: SDCL 26-4- 7 .

Prior versions effective: 2011-06-07.