§8357. Records; confidentiality; disclosure

Except as otherwise provided by law and the provisions of this chapter, records that are made, acquired or retained by the department in connection with its responsibilities under this chapter are subject to the provisions set out in section 7703.   [PL 2015, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

1.  Disclosure; report of abuse or neglect.  Notwithstanding section 7703, subsection 2, paragraph B, the department may disclose a statement indicating whether or not a report of out-of-home child abuse or neglect has been received, the nature of the alleged abuse or neglect and the conclusion reached by the investigation team, upon the conclusion of the investigation.

[PL 2015, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

2.  Notification of parent, guardian or custodian of child reported to be abused.  When a report is received of child abuse or neglect in a facility or program described in section 8356, the investigation team may notify the child's parent, guardian or custodian that it has been reported that the child has been allegedly abused or neglected, whether an investigation is being conducted and, upon conclusion of the investigation, whether the investigation team determined that the allegations are supported or not supported.

[PL 2015, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

3.  Notification of parents, guardians or custodians of children in facility.  When a report is received of child abuse or neglect in a facility or program described in section 8356, the investigation team, upon conclusion of the investigation, may notify a parent, guardian or custodian who has a child in the program or facility for whom there is no report of abuse or neglect whether the investigation team determined that a violation of law or rules adopted by the department has occurred.

[PL 2015, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

4.  Disclosure to facility or program.  The investigation team shall notify a facility or program described in section 8356 when there is an indicated or substantiated finding of abuse or neglect against an employee of the facility or program.

[PL 2015, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

5.  Disclosure of investigation.  The department may publish information regarding an investigation conducted pursuant to this chapter on the department's publicly accessible website upon the conclusion of an investigation in accordance with rules adopted by the department.

[PL 2015, c. 283, §3 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2015, c. 283, §3 (NEW).