Art. 616.1. Correction of central registry entries; procedure

NOTE: Paragraph A eff. until promulgation and publication by DCFS of the final rules to implement the provisions of this Act.

A. When a report alleging abuse or neglect is recorded as justified by the department in the central registry but when no petition is subsequently filed alleging that the child is in need of care, the individual who is the subject of the finding may file a written motion seeking correction of that entry and all related department records in the court exercising juvenile jurisdiction in the parish in which the finding was made.

NOTE: Paragraph A shall become eff. upon promulgation and publication by DCFS of the final rules to implement the provisions of this Act.

A. When a report alleging abuse or neglect is recorded as justified by the department in the state central registry but when no petition is or was subsequently filed alleging that the child is in need of care, the individual who is the subject of the finding may file a written motion seeking correction of that entry and all related department records in the court exercising juvenile jurisdiction in the parish in which the finding was made.

B. Prior to the hearing, the motion shall be served on the department and the district attorney.

C. If neither the department nor the district attorney files a written objection, the court may enter an order in accordance with Paragraph D.

D. If after a contradictory hearing with the department and the district attorney the court finds that the report was not justified, in accordance with Article 615(B)(4) or (5), and correction of the record is not contrary to the best interest of the child, it may order the department to correct the central registry entry. If the central registry entry is ordered to be corrected, the department and any law enforcement offices having any record of the report shall be ordered to correct those records and any other records, notations, or references thereto, and the court shall order the department and other custodians of such records to file a sworn affidavit to the effect that their records have been corrected. The affidavit of the department shall also attest to the correction of the central registry entry.

E. The originals of the affidavits required in Paragraph D shall be kept by the court and a copy shall be retained by the affiant. The copy shall not be a public record and shall not be open for public inspection but rather shall be kept under lock and key and maintained only for internal recordkeeping purposes and to preserve the integrity of the files of the department or office and shall not be used for any investigative purpose.

NOTE: Paragraph F shall become eff. upon promulgation and publication by DCFS of the final rules to implement the provisions of this Act.

F. The provisions of this Article shall apply only to those reports determined by the department to be justified prior to the effective date of Children's Code Article 616.1.1.

Acts 1997, No. 612, §1; Acts 2017, No. 348, §1, eff. upon promulgation and publication by DCFS rules.