Sec. 3. (a) The department shall expunge child abuse or neglect information not later than twenty-four (24) years after the date of birth of the youngest child named in the department's assessment report as an alleged victim of child abuse or neglect, if:
(1) the department approved the assessment as unsubstantiated; or
(2) the court in a child in need of services case entered a final judgment based on a finding that child abuse or neglect did not occur.
(b) The department may, upon the request of an interested person, expunge information relating to an unsubstantiated assessment of child abuse or neglect at any time, if the department determines that the probative value of the information does not justify its retention in the records of the department.
(c) This subsection applies to information that is not expunged under subsection (a) or (b). The department may retain information relating to an unsubstantiated assessment of child abuse or neglect in paper or digital form or in other media that is accessible only by department employees with access rights established by the department through policy or rule.
(d) Information that is retained in the records of the department under subsection (c) may be used by the department to facilitate its assessment of a subsequent report concerning the same child or family.
(e) The department may not rely solely on information available under subsection (c) to support substantiation of a later report, if information obtained in the assessment of the later report is otherwise insufficient to support a substantiated determination.
(f) The department shall adopt a written policy, and may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2, regarding access to information retained under subsection (c).
As added by P.L.48-2012, SEC.56.
Structure Indiana Code
Title 31. Family Law and Juvenile Law
Article 33. Juvenile Law: Reporting and Investigation of Child Abuse and Neglect
Chapter 27. Expungement of Child Abuse or Neglect Reports
31-33-27-1. "Expunge" or "Expungement"
31-33-27-3. Expungement of Records; Retained Information; Adoption of Rules
31-33-27-4. Expungement of Records; Amended Information
31-33-27-5. Substantiated Reports; Perpetrator Petitions for Expungements