Department of Human Services
Chapter 407
Division 47
OFFICE OF TRAINING, INVESTIGATIONS AND SAFETY - CHILD ABUSE
407-047-0630
Investigations of Third-Party: Determining OTIS Response for Third-Party Professionals
(1) Based on information gathered in OAR 407-047-0620, an OTIS investigator must determine the OTIS response, which must be one of the following:
(a) An investigation is required under section (2) of this rule,
(b) An investigation is not required under section (2) of this rule and the report will be closed at screening as provided in section (4) or
(c) Refer to other investigative authority as provided in section (5).
(2) Investigation required. An investigation is required when:
(a) The information alleged in the report meets the definition of abuse in ORS 419B.005.
(b) At the time of the alleged abuse, the respondent was an adult who meets the definition of “third-party professional”.
(c) The alleged victim was a child at the time of the alleged abuse, as defined in these rules (OAR 407-047-0600 through 407-047-0710).
(d) The relationship between the respondent and the alleged victim is due to the respondent’s position or occupation.
(e) If conditions in 2(a-d) are not met, then the director of OTIS may determine that the Department is authorized by ORS 419B to investigate, and it is in the best interest of child safety for OTIS to investigate under these rules (OAR 407-047-0600 through 407-047-0710).
(3) If an investigation is required under section (2) an OTIS supervisor or designee determines the OTIS initial contact timeline. The initial contact timeline refers to the amount of time between when a report is assigned for investigation and when the OTIS investigator is required to attempt to contact the alleged victim. The OTIS supervisor or designee must consider whether the respondent poses a risk to the alleged victim or other children to whom the respondent has access. The initial contact timeline must be:
(a) Within 24 hours.
(b) Within 72 hours. This response timeline must only be used when the OTIS investigator can clearly document how the information indicates that the safety of the child will not be compromised by not responding within 24 hours and whether an intentional delay to allow for a planned response is less likely to compromise the safety of the child.
(c) Within 10 business days. This response timeline must only be used when the report is historical abuse, and the respondent no longer has contact with the alleged victim and is not in a caregiving role for other children.
(d) An OTIS supervisor may change the OTIS initial contact timeline to within 72 hours or within 10 business days. The supervisor must explain in writing why the timeline was changed and how safety was considered when the change was approved.
(4) Close at screening.
(a) A report must be closed at screening when both of the following are true:
(A) The report was properly determined to be the responsibility of OTIS under OAR chapter 413, division 015.
(B) An investigation is not required under section (2) of this rule.
(b) A report may be closed at screening when the report of child abuse is being investigated by a law enforcement agency (ORS 419B.020(2)).
(c) OTIS supervisor or designee approval must be obtained when a report will be closed at screening.
(5) When a report is determined not to be the responsibility of OTIS under OAR chapter 413 division 015, OTIS must refer the report to the appropriate investigative authority. OTIS must follow mandatory reporting requirements of other Oregon Revised Statutes.
(a) If contact information was provided, the OTIS investigator must make diligent efforts to notify the reporter that the report was referred to another investigative authority.
(b) If other agencies were informed of the OTIS screening, the OTIS investigator must make diligent efforts to notify them of the referral to another investigative authority.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 409.050
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 419B.005 - 419B.050
History:
DHS 29-2022, amend filed 07/20/2022, effective 08/01/2022
DHS 3-2021, adopt filed 02/26/2021, effective 03/01/2021