CHAPTER 7. INFORMATION ABOUT CHILDREN IN NEED OF SERVICES, INVESTIGATION, AND PRELIMINARY INQUIRY
IC 31-34-7
Chapter 7. Information About Children in Need of Services,
Investigation, and Preliminary Inquiry
IC 31-34-7-1
Preliminary inquiry
Sec. 1. A person may give an intake officer written information
indicating that a child is a child in need of services. If the intake
officer has reason to believe that the child is a child in need of
services, the intake officer shall make a preliminary inquiry to
determine whether the interests of the child require further action.
Whenever practicable, the preliminary inquiry should include
information on the child's background, current status, and school
performance.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17.
IC 31-34-7-2
Provision of preliminary inquiry and recommendation to attorney
for department
Sec. 2. The intake officer shall send to the attorney for the
department a copy of the preliminary inquiry. The intake officer shall
recommend whether to:
(1) file a petition;
(2) informally adjust the case;
(3) refer the child to another agency; or
(4) dismiss the case.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.145-2006,
SEC.293; P.L.146-2008, SEC.583.
IC 31-34-7-3
Decision whether to request authorization to file petition
Sec. 3. The person representing the interests of the state and
receiving the preliminary inquiry and recommendations shall decide
whether to request authorization to file a petition. This decision is
final only as to the office of the person making the decision.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17.
IC 31-34-7-4
Access by accused to report
Sec. 4. A person who is accused of committing child abuse or
neglect is entitled under IC 31-33-18-2(14) to access to a report
relevant to an alleged accusation.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17.