Statutes | Klamath Juvenile Ordinance Title 2 Chapter 15 ยง 15.65 | 2020
(a) When a Klamath Tribes law enforcement officer or the Social Services Department receives an initial report from any person that reasonably believes a child is abused or neglected, the receiving agency or department shall immediately notify appropriate officials of the other agency or department and shall submit a copy of the written intake required under Subsection (c) of this Section to the other agency or department. When appropriate, the receiving agency or department shall coordinate efforts with the State of Oregon child welfare agency that is appointed to receive reports of child abuse or neglect.
(b) Within thirty six (36) hours excluding weekends and Klamath tribal holidays, after receiving an initial report of child abuse or neglect, the receiving agency or department shall prepare a written intake report including, but not be limited to the following information:
(1) the name address age and sex of the child that is the subject of the abuse or neglect
(2) the grade and school in which the child is currently enrolled
(3) the name and address of the childs parents, guardian, custodian, or other person responsible for the childs care
(4) the name and address of the alleged perpetrator and their relationship to the child
(5) the name and address of the person who made the report including their relationship to the child
(6) a brief narrative as to the nature and extent of the childs injuries or circumstances, including but not limited to any evidence of previous injuries and any previously known or suspected abuse or neglect of the child or the childs siblings and the suspected dates of the abuse or neglect and
(7) any other information that might be helpful to the investigation of child abuse or neglect including but not limited to information useful in establishing the cause of the injuries and the identity of the person or person responsible for the injuries.
(c) The recipient of the report also shall take immediate steps to insure prompt investigation of the report to determine if there is probable cause to believe that the allegations are true and to protect the health or welfare of the alleged abused or neglected child, as well as that of any other child who may be in danger of abuse or neglect by the same person. All persons conducting an investigation authorized or required by this Ordinance shall conduct interviews in a manner which protects the child from unnecessary trauma and embarrassment
(d) Upon completion of the investigation of any report of alleged child abuse or neglect, the Involved agencies and
departments shall prepare a final written report on the allegations
(e) In any proceeding alleging neglect or abuse under this Ordinance where the written report prepared by a law enforcement agency or the Social Services Department in accordance with this Section is sought to be introduced into evidence, the report, its contents, or any other facts related to the condition of the child who is the subject of the report shall not be excluded on the grounds that the matter is or may be the subject of a physician-patient privilege or similar privilege or rule against disclosure.
(f) The identity of any person making an initial report of child abuse or neglect shall not be disclosed without the consent of such person to any other person other than the Juvenile Court or an employee of the Social Services Department, law enforcement agency, or other state or federal government employee who has a need to know the information in performance of such employees duties.
(g) Anyone reporting an instance of alleged child neglect or abuse or participating in a judicial proceeding brought as a result of a report required by this Ordinance is presumed to be acting in good faith and shall be immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed by the law, unless the person acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose.