Section 4.21 - Screening of Reports of Alleged Abuse or Neglect(1) Upon receipt of a 51A report, the Department shall, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 119, § 51B, immediately gather information related to the report, referred to as "screening a report". The purpose of screening a report is to:(a) Identify children at risk of abuse or neglect from a caregiver or at risk of sexual exploitation or human trafficking;(b) Gather information necessary to make a screening decision as to whether the Department should initiate a response pursuant to M.G.L. c. 119, § 51B;(c) Determine if an emergency 51B response is required;(d) Complete any mandatory referrals to the District Attorney, or local law enforcement; and,(e) Refer the reporter to other authorities, including the police, District Attorney, licensing agency, as applicable.(2) Reports involving Department employees, household or family members of Department employees, foster parents, pre-adoptive parents, or Area Board members shall be screened in accordance with 110 CMR 4.23.(3)Timeframe. The screening decision is made within one business day, unless an additional day is needed to obtain specific piece of information from a collateral contact to make the screening decision.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1486, eff. 1/6/2023.