| (a) We assign priorities for reports of abuse, neglect,
and exploitation based on the assessment of the immediacy of the risk
and the severity of the possible harm to the child. Prior to initiating
an investigation, we will review the intake report to determine if
the initial priority and action recommended is appropriate or must
be updated.
(1) Priority I reports concern:
(A) death or immediate risk of death; serious injury;
or life-threatening abuse, neglect, or exploitation; or
(B) imminent risk of death, serious injury, or life-threatening
abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
(2) Priority II reports are all other reports of abuse,
neglect, or exploitation that are not assigned a Priority I.
(b) Subject to the availability of funds, we must:
(1) Immediately respond to a report of abuse, neglect,
or exploitation that is assigned a Priority I and involves:
(A) the death of a child; or
(B) circumstances in which serious physical or emotional
harm or death of a child will result unless we immediately intervene.
(2) Respond within 24 hours to a report of abuse, neglect,
or exploitation that is assigned a Priority I and involves circumstances
in which the threat of serious physical or emotional harm or death
of a child is not immediate but may occur in the very near future
unless we intervene.
(3) Respond within 72 hours to a report of abuse, neglect,
or exploitation that is assigned a Priority II.
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