19-5.5-204. Authority and responsibility of a county department of human or social services

19-5.5-204. Authority and responsibility of a county department of human or social services. (1) If a county department receives a report that a person has transferred or intends to transfer custody of a child in violation of section 19-5.5-203 (1), the county department may conduct an assessment, and, as provided by other laws of this state, take appropriate action to protect the welfare of the child. (2) If a county conducts an assessment for a child adopted or placed through an intercountry adoption, and determines that a person has transferred or intends to transfer custody of a child in violation of section 19-5.5-203, the county department shall forward the assessment to the state department. Upon receiving the assessment, the state department shall: (a) Prepare a report on the welfare and plan for permanent placement of the child; and (b) Provide a copy of the report to the United States department of state, bureau of consular affairs, office of children's issues. (3) This article 5.5 does not prevent a county department from taking appropriate action under other law of this state.