Section 169-C:34 Duties of the Department of Health and Human Services. - New Hampshire Statutes

   I. If it appears that the immediate safety or well-being of a child is endangered, the family may flee or the child disappear, or the facts otherwise so warrant, the department shall commence an investigation immediately after receipt of a report. In all other cases, a child protective investigation shall be commenced within 72 hours of receipt of the report.
   II. For each report it receives, the department shall promptly perform a child protective investigation to: (i) determine the composition of the family or household, including the name, address, age, sex and race of each child named in the report, and any siblings or other children in the same household or in the care of the same adults, the parents or other persons responsible for their welfare, and any other adults in the same household; (ii) determine whether there is probable cause to believe that any child in the family or household is abused or neglected, including a determination of harm or threatened harm to each child, the nature and extent of present or prior injuries, abuse or neglect, and any evidence thereof, and a determination of the person or persons apparently responsible for the abuse or neglect; (iii) determine the immediate and long-term risk to each child if the child remains in the existing home environment; and (iv) determine the protective treatment, and ameliorative services that appear necessary to help prevent further child abuse or neglect and to improve the home environment and the parents' ability to adequately care for the children.
   III. The department may request and shall receive from any agency of the state or any of its political subdivisions or any schools, such assistance and information as will enable it to fulfill its responsibilities under this section.
   IV. Upon notification by the department that the immediate safety or well-being of a child may be endangered, the court may, in its discretion, order a police officer, juvenile probation and parole officer, or child protection service worker to enter the place where the child is located, in furtherance of such investigation.
   V. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the department may, pursuant to a voluntary service plan that is developed and provided for a minor and the minor's family by the department, offer voluntary services to families without making a determination of the person or persons apparently responsible for the abuse or neglect. The department shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the provision of voluntary services under this paragraph.
   V-a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the department may, pursuant to a voluntary service plan that is developed and provided for the child by the department, offer voluntary services to any child who prior to his or her eighteenth birthday was found to be neglected or abused, who was in legal custody of the department as of his or her eighteenth birthday, and who is less than 21 years of age.
   VI. At the first contact in person, any person investigating a report of abuse or neglect on behalf of the department shall verbally inform the parents of a child suspected of being a victim of abuse or neglect of the specific nature of the charges and that they are under no obligation to allow a social worker or state employee on their premises or surrender their children to interviews unless that social worker or state employee is in possession of a court order to that effect. Upon receiving such information, the parent shall sign a written acknowledgement indicating that the information required under this paragraph was provided by the person conducting the investigation. The parent and department shall each retain a copy of the acknowledgment.

Source. 1979, 361:2. 1987, 402:12. 1994, 411:15-17. 1995, 310:175, 181. 2000, 294:9. 2001, 279:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002. 2006, 276:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007. 2008, 204:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2009.