Department of Human Services
Chapter 407
Division 47
OFFICE OF TRAINING, INVESTIGATIONS AND SAFETY - CHILD ABUSE
407-047-0240
Investigations in Schools: Notifications at the Conclusion of Screening
The OTIS investigator is responsible for making the following notifications after a report has been determined to be assigned for investigation or closed at screening:
(1) Cross-report to local law enforcement agency as required in ORS 419B.015 by providing a full screening report.
(2) OTIS must notify the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) within three business days of receiving the report, if the Department believes the school employee, contractor, agent or volunteer is licensed or registered by the commission.
(3) OTIS must notify the Department of Education (DOE) within three business days of receiving the report, if the Department of Human Services believes the report of suspected child abuse:
(a) Occurred in a school or was related to a school-sponsored activity; or
(b) Involves a child and a person who is a school employee, contractor, agent or volunteer.
(4) OTIS must notify the education provider to ensure the safety of the child.
(5) Make diligent efforts to notify the reporter that the report was assigned for investigation or closed at screening.
(6) Others as required or otherwise authorized including, but not limited to:
(a) Appropriate personnel within the Department.
(b) The tribe as provided under OAR chapter 413, division 115 when the OTIS investigator knows or has reason to know the alleged victim is an Indian child.
(c) Disability Rights Oregon if the alleged abuse occurred at a school or in an educational setting that involves a child with a disability. (ORS 419B.035(1))
(d) Oregon Youth Authority (OYA): Professional Standards Office when the alleged abuse involves a youth under the jurisdiction of OYA, or the education provider is a Youth Corrections Education Program.
(e) The Department of Early Learning and Care when required by ORS 419B.020 or 419B.035.
(f) Any individual, administrative hearings officer, court, agency, organization, or other entity when determined necessary under ORS 419B.035(3).
(7) Any deviations from making required notifications must be approved by an OTIS supervisor and justification documented in the investigative report.
(8) The Department of Human Services may not disclose the name and address of, and other identifying information about the reporter, but the Department shall make available any information necessary to ensure the safety of the child, including the name of the school and the name of the person who may have conducted the suspected abuse. Unless authorized under ORS 419B.019 any person or entity to whom notification is made may not release any information
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 409.050
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 419B.005 - 419B.050
History:
DHS 10-2023, minor correction filed 12/11/2023, effective 12/11/2023
DHS 29-2022, amend filed 07/20/2022, effective 08/01/2022
DHS 6-2021, amend filed 03/31/2021, effective 04/01/2021
DHSD 36-2019, adopt filed 12/30/2019, effective 01/01/2020