Chapter 260E — Compliance With Federal Indian Child Welfare Act and Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act

260E.01 Policy Minnesota's policy is to protect children from maltreatment while keeping families together when possible. The law aims … 260E.015 Compliance With Federal Indian Child Welfare Act and Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act Child maltreatment proceedings involving an Indian child must follow the federal Indian Child Welfare Act and the … 260E.02 Multidisciplinary Child Protection Team Counties and other agencies must establish multidisciplinary child protection teams to coordinate their response to … 260E.03 Definitions This section defines important terms used in the child maltreatment reporting law, including what counts as … 260E.04 Evidence In child maltreatment cases, most legal privileges that normally protect confidential communications (like … 260E.05 Cultural Practices People investigating child maltreatment reports must consider the cultural background of the family and accepted … 260E.055 Duty to Report; Private or Public Youth Recreation Program This section establishes specific reporting duties for employees and volunteers of youth recreation programs who witness … 260E.06 Maltreatment Reporting Certain professionals, including teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers, law enforcement, and childcare workers, are … 260E.065 Training for Reporters Mandated reporters must receive training on recognizing and reporting child maltreatment as part of their professional … 260E.07 Retaliation Prohibited Employers cannot punish or retaliate against workers who make good-faith reports of child maltreatment. They also cannot … 260E.08 Criminal Penalties for Failure to Report; Civil Penalty for Making False Report A mandated reporter who fails to report suspected child maltreatment commits a misdemeanor. Making a knowingly false … 260E.09 Reporting Requirements Reports of suspected child maltreatment must be made immediately by phone or other means. Mandated reporters must follow … 260E.10 Notification to Reporters The agency handling a maltreatment report must notify the reporter about whether it is investigating the report, within … 260E.11 Agency Designated to Receive Reports This section designates which agencies receive and respond to child maltreatment reports, including local welfare … 260E.12 Required Actions of the Responsible Agency and Law Enforcement Upon Receiving Report When a child maltreatment report is received, the responsible agency and law enforcement must take specific steps, … 260E.13 Report to Ombudsman When a child who is a client of a state facility or program is the subject of a maltreatment report, the local welfare … 260E.14 Agency Responsible for Screening and Assessment or Investigation This section determines which agency is responsible for screening, assessing, and investigating each child maltreatment … 260E.15 Screening Guidelines Child protection staff must follow the commissioner's screening guidelines when deciding whether to accept a report for … 260E.16 Timeline for Screening The local welfare agency must decide whether to screen in or screen out a child maltreatment report within 24 hours of … 260E.17 Response Path Assignment After a report is screened in, the agency must decide which response path to use, such as a family assessment or a … 260E.18 Notice to Child's Tribe When an assessment or investigation may involve an Indian child, the local welfare agency must provide immediate notice … 260E.19 Conflict of Interest Local welfare agencies must identify and address conflicts of interest in maltreatment investigations, such as financial … 260E.20 Agency Duties Regarding Investigation and Assessment This section details what the agency must do during a maltreatment assessment or investigation, including gathering … 260E.21 Screened Out Reports Reports that are screened out must be documented, and the agency must maintain records of screened-out reports for … 260E.22 Interviews This section establishes rules for interviewing children, parents, and other parties during maltreatment assessments and … 260E.23 Documenting Interviews With Child Maltreatment Victims Interviews with child maltreatment victims should be recorded when possible, following specific documentation … 260E.24 Conclusion of Assessment or Family Investigation by Local Welfare Agency At the conclusion of an assessment or investigation, the local welfare agency must make findings, determine whether … 260E.25 Provision of Medical Care If a child needs medical care and the parents have chosen spiritual healing or prayer instead, the local welfare agency … 260E.26 Provision of Child Protective Services The local welfare agency must create a written plan with the family within 30 days when child protective services are … 260E.27 Consultation With the County Attorney The local welfare agency must consult with the county attorney about filing a court petition if the child is in danger … 260E.28 Conducting Investigation in Facility or School This section establishes procedures for investigating alleged maltreatment that occurred at a school, childcare … 260E.29 Notification Requirements for Schools and Facilities Schools and facilities that are the subject of a maltreatment investigation must be notified and have specific rights … 260E.291 Reporting of School Attendance Concerns This section addresses how school attendance problems should be reported and handled within the child protection … 260E.30 Conclusion of School or Facility Investigation At the end of a school or facility investigation, the agency must make findings and provide notice to the facility, the … 260E.31 Reporting of Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances Health professionals must report when a pregnant woman has used controlled substances that could affect the baby, … 260E.32 Toxicology Tests Required A physician must order a toxicology test on a pregnant woman or newborn when there is reason to believe the baby was … 260E.33 Reconsideration and Appeal of Maltreatment Determination Following Investigation A person or facility determined to have maltreated a child can request reconsideration of the finding and has the right … 260E.34 Immunity People who make good-faith reports of child maltreatment, and professionals who participate in assessments and … 260E.35 Data Practices This section establishes rules about who can access child maltreatment records and data, balancing child safety with … 260E.36 Specialized Training and Education Required People who investigate or assess child maltreatment must have specialized training and education in child development, … 260E.37 Child Protection Workers; Training Child protection workers must complete specific training requirements to ensure they have the skills needed to protect … 260E.38 Audit The commissioner may conduct audits of county and agency child protection programs to ensure compliance with state laws … 260E.39 Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Minnesota must review child fatalities and near fatalities to identify patterns, improve the child protection system, …