N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:51-2.7

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 3A:51-2.7 - Complaints

(a) Whenever the Office of Licensing receives a report questioning the licensing status or compliance of a resource family parent or applicant or alleging a violation of the requirements specified in this chapter, the Office of Licensing shall ensure that the allegation is promptly investigated to determine whether the complaint is confirmed.

(b) Upon completion of the complaint investigation, the Department shall notify the resource family parent or applicant and the Division office that has supervision of the resource family home in writing of the results of the investigation, with the exception of any information not permitted to be disclosed pursuant to N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.10a or any other State or Federal law.

(c) Whenever the Department conducts a complaint investigation, the resource family parent or applicant shall cooperate with all Department investigators.

(d) The Department, during the course of investigating a report of child abuse and neglect, may determine that immediate corrective action is necessary to protect a child whenever:

1. A resource family parent, applicant or household member has been found by the Department to have harmed or to pose a risk of harm to a child;

2. A resource family parent, applicant or household member has committed an act of child abuse or neglect, as substantiated by the Department; or

3. A resource family parent, applicant or household member has been convicted of such acts.

(e) When the Department makes a determination that immediate remedial action or long-term corrective action is necessary, the action may include temporary or permanent closure of the resource family home.

(f) Substantiation by the Department of a child abuse or neglect report shall not in itself automatically result in the denial, suspension, or revocation of or refusal to renew a license, but shall constitute grounds for such action at the discretion of the Office of Licensing after considering information provided by the Department. The Office of Licensing may issue or continue the license if the resource family parent's or applicant's continued service poses no continuing risk of harm to any child residing in the home and the issuance or continuation of the license is in the best interests of a specific child who is or will be placed in the home.

N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:51-2.7

Administrative Change, 49 N.J.R. 98a.

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 2792(a), effective 8/21/2017

Amended by 51 N.J.R. 1263(b), effective 8/5/2019