(a) The Agency shall:
(1) Notify the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children ("Ombudsperson for Children"), established by Chapter 6C of this title, in writing within 24 hours of the Agency becoming aware of an allegation of a critical incident;
(2) Provide the Ombudsperson for Children with copies of proposed revisions to current policies or regulations, or proposed new policies or regulations, including administrative issuances, at least 10 days prior to issuance; except, that the 10-day notice requirement shall not apply to the issuance of emergency regulations; and
(3) Post the Ombudsperson's report issued pursuant to § 4-671.08(b), on the Agency's website to be made available to the public.
(b) For purposes of this section, the term:
(1) "Critical incident" means:
(A) The death of a child known or who has been known to the Agency within 4 years prior to the child's death;
(B) A near fatality or serious bodily injury resulting from child abuse or neglect or caused by any other means while a child is under the Agency's care and custody; or
(C) An act that causes significant impairment to a child's physical or mental condition, as determined by qualified medical personnel, including instances of sexual assault, sex trafficking, or broken bones that come to the attention of the Agency.
(2) "Near fatality" means any act that threatens the life of a child as determined by a medical or other qualified professional.
(3) "Serious bodily injury" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 22-3001(7).
(Sept. 23, 1977, D.C. Law 2-22, title III, § 311; as added Apr. 5, 2021, D.C. Law 23-270, § 201(c), 68 DCR 001510.)
Section 7208 of D.C. Law 24-45 repealed the applicability provision of section 301 of D.C. Law 23-270 that impacted this section. Therefore the creation of this section by Law 23-270 has been implemented.
Section 7208 of D.C. Act 24-159 repealed the applicability provision of section 301 of D.C. Law 23-270 that impacted this section. Therefore the creation of this section by Law 23-270 has been implemented.
Applicability of D.C. Law 23-270: § 301 of D.C. Law 23-270 provided that the creation of this section by § 201(c) of D.C. Law 23-270 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.
Structure District of Columbia Code
Chapter 13 - Child Abuse and Neglect
Subchapter I - Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
Part C - Child and Family Services Agency
§ 4–1303.01. Establishment and purposes
§ 4–1303.01a. Establishment and purposes of Child and Family Services Agency
§ 4–1303.02a. Organization and authority of Child and Family Services Agency
§ 4–1303.03. Duties and powers of the Director
§ 4–1303.03a. Provision of neighborhood-based services; partnerships with neighborhood groups
§ 4–1303.03b. Single reporting line
§ 4–1303.03c. Child and Family Services Agency Transportation Fund. [Repealed]
§ 4–1303.03d. Rapid Housing Program assistance
§ 4–1303.03e. Behavioral health screening and assessment requirements
§ 4–1303.03f. Reasonable and prudent parent standard
§ 4–1303.04. Services authorized; custodial placement; removal of child
§ 4–1303.05. Medical treatment authorized
§ 4–1303.06. Confidentiality of records and information
§ 4–1303.07. Unauthorized disclosure of records
§ 4–1303.08. Voluntary Foster Care Registry
§ 4–1303.09. Voluntary Foster Care Registry Fund
§ 4–1303.11. Agency's responsibilities to the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children