Notification to department; investigation of a child; notification to parents

Sec. 3. (a) Except as provided in subsection (d), if a child voluntarily enters an emergency shelter or a shelter care facility, the shelter or facility shall notify the department, not later than twenty-four (24) hours after the child enters the shelter or facility, of the following:

(1) The name of the child.

(2) The location of the shelter or facility.

(3) Whether the child alleges that the child is the subject of abuse or neglect.

(b) The department shall conduct an investigation concerning the child not later than forty-eight (48) hours after receiving notification from the emergency shelter or shelter care facility under subsection (a).

(c) The department shall notify the child's parent, guardian, or custodian that the child is in an emergency shelter or a shelter care facility not later than seventy-two (72) hours after the child enters the shelter or facility. However, if the department has reason to believe that the child is a victim of child abuse or neglect, the department may not notify the child's parent, guardian, or custodian as to the specific shelter or facility the child has entered.

(d) An emergency shelter or a shelter care facility is not required to notify the department of a child who is an emancipated minor.

As added by P.L.133-2008, SEC.11.