Time for initiating assessments - Emergencies

All nonemergency child abuse or neglect assessments must be initiated within time frames established by the department after receipt of a report by the assessing agency. In cases involving a serious threat or danger to the life or health of a child, the assessment and any appropriate protective measures must commence immediately upon receipt of a report by the assessing agency. An assessment is initiated by contact with the alleged abused or neglected child, a law enforcement officer with jurisdiction in the location where the child may be found or where the alleged abuse or neglect occurred, or the subject of the report.