R21-7-208. Investigations of Child Abuse or Neglect

A. The licensee shall ensure that the following requirements are met and have a written policy and procedure consistent with the requirements of this Chapter for handling alleged and suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect, to include the following provisions: 1. Immediately report a suspected incident of child abuse or neglect to law enforcement and the Department as required by A.R.S. § 13-3620; 2. Notify the Department, and notify the child’s Placing Entity or person who placed the child with the Agency; 3. Take precautions to prevent further risk to the child who allegedly suffered the abuse or neglect and potential risk to any other child in care; 4. Contact law enforcement and the Centralized Intake Hotline if a child discloses that they are a victim of a crime, including sex trafficking; 5. Require staff to disclose to the licensee any substantiated finding of abuse or neglect recorded on the Central Registry during the staff’s employment; 6. Evaluate staff who have a non-disqualifying act on the Central Registry for suitability to perform their assigned duties; and 7. Advise the Department of any staff who commits or allows child abuse or neglect, in order for the Department to ensure compliance with R21-7-104. B. The licensee shall require all staff to read and sign a statement describing the duty to report child abuse or neglect under A.R.S. § 13-3620. The licensee shall maintain a copy of this statement in the staff’s personnel file. C. The licensee shall not internally investigate an incident of child abuse or neglect unless the Department approves.