Education, Administration

Rule R277-401

Child Abuse-Neglect Reporting by Education Personnel

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 36658
Filed: 08/15/2012 06:54:20 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to add a new definition for clarification purposes and to provide updated terminology to make the rule consistent with other Utah State Board of Education (Board) rules.

Summary of the rule or change:

A new definition is added to the rule and terminology is changed throughout the rule.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Subsection 53A-1-401(3)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to the state budget. Adding a new definition for clarification purposes and changing terminology throughout the rule do not result in a cost or savings.

local governments:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to local government. Adding a new definition for clarification purposes and changing terminology throughout the rule do not result in a cost or savings.

small businesses:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to small businesses. This rule and the changes apply to local education agencies (LEAs) and do not affect businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities. Adding a new definition for clarification purposes and changing terminology throughout the rule do not result in a cost or savings.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons. Terminology and clarifying language do not result in compliance costs.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

I have reviewed this rule and I see no fiscal impact on businesses.

Larry K. Shumway, State Superintendent

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Education
Administration
250 E 500 S
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84111-3272

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Carol Lear at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7835, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at [email protected]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

10/01/2012

This rule may become effective on:

10/08/2012

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-401. Child Abuse-Neglect Reporting by Education Personnel.

R277-401-1. Definitions.

A. This rule uses the definition of neglected child found in Section 78A-6-105(2[6]8).

B. This rule uses the definition of abused child found in Section 78A-6-105(2).

C. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.

D. "DCFS" means the Division of Child and Family Services.

[D]E. "LEA" means a local education agency, including local school boards/public school districts, [and] charter schools , and, for purposes of this rule, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

 

R277-401-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized under Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board and Section 53A-1-401(3) which allows the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities.

B. The purpose of this rule is to clarify:

(1) the Board's support for taking early protective measures towards allegations of child abuse. The daily contact of education personnel with children places them in a[n ideal] unique position [for]to identify[ing] and refer[ring] suspected cases of abuse.

(2) the role of all school employees in reporting and participating in investigations of suspected child abuse as required by Section 62A-4a-403.

 

R277-401-3. Policies and Procedures.

A. Each LEA shall develop and adopt a child abuse-neglect policy.

(1) School officials shall cooperate with social service and law enforcement agency employees authorized to investigate charges of child abuse and neglect.

(2) LEA policies shall ensure that the anonymity of those reporting or investigating child abuse or neglect is preserved in a manner required by Section 62A-4a-412.

(3) An LEA policy may direct a school employee to notify the building principal of the neglect or abuse. Such a report to a principal, supervisor, school nurse or psychologist does not satisfy the employee's personal duty to report to law enforcement or D CFS.

(4) LEA policies shall direct school employees to cooperate appropriately with law enforcement and DCFS investigators who come into the school, including:

(a) allowing authorized representatives to interview children consistent with DCFS and local law enforcement protocols;

(b) allowing appropriate access to student records;

(c) making no contact with parents/legal guardians of children being questioned by DCFS or local law enforcement; and

(d) cooperating with ongoing investigations and maintaining appropriate confidentiality.

B. School employee responsibilities

(1) Any school employee who knows or reasonably believes that a child has been neglected, or physically or sexually abused, shall immediately notify the nearest peace officer, law enforcement agency, or [office of the State Division of Child and Family Services (]DCFS[)].

(2) It is not the responsibility of school employees to prove that the child has been abused or neglected, or determine whether the child is in need of protection. Investigations are the responsibility of the [Division of Child and Family Services]DCFS. Investigation by education personnel prior to submitting a report should not go beyond that necessary to support a reason[able belief]to believe that a reportable problem exists.

(3) Persons making reports or participating in an investigation of alleged child abuse or neglect in good faith are immune from any civil or criminal liability that otherwise might arise from those actions, as provided by law.

 

KEY: child abuse, education policy, faculty, students,

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [December 8, 2011]2012

Notice of Continuation: August 14, 2012

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53A-1-401(3)