{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/63.2-1506.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/63.2-1506.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/63.2-1506.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/63.2-1506.html"}],"law_id":77537,"edition_id":1,"section_id":77537,"structure_id":13978,"section_number":"63.2-1506","catch_line":"Family assessments by local departments","history":"2000, c. 500, \u00a7 63.1-248.6:02; 2002, cc. 641, 642, 747; 2017, cc. 176, 428; 2018, c. 823; 2019, cc. 276, 436; 2020, cc. 5, 228, 829; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 305.","full_text":"A\n\nA family assessment requires the collection of information necessary to determine:1\n\nThe immediate safety needs of the child;2\n\nThe protective and rehabilitative services needs of the child and family that will deter abuse or neglect;3\n\nRisk of future harm to the child;4\n\nWhether the mother of a child who was exposed in utero to a controlled substance sought substance abuse counseling or treatment prior to the child’s birth; and5\n\nAlternative plans for the child’s safety if protective and rehabilitative services are indicated and the family is unable or unwilling to participate in services.B\n\nWhen a local department has been designated as a child-protective services differential response system participant by the Department pursuant to \u00a7 63.2-1504 and responds to the report or complaint by conducting a family assessment, the local department shall:1\n\nConduct an immediate family assessment and, if the report or complaint was based upon one of the factors specified in subsection B of § 63.2-1509, the local department may file a petition pursuant to § 16.1-241.3;2\n\nObtain and consider the results of a search of the child abuse and neglect registry for any individual who is the subject of a family assessment. The local board shall determine whether the individual has resided in another state within at least the preceding five years, and, if he has resided in another state, the local board shall request a search of the child abuse and neglect registry or equivalent registry maintained by such state. The local board also may obtain and consider, in accordance with regulations of the Board, statewide criminal history record information from the Central Criminal Records Exchange for any individual who is the subject of a family assessment;3\n\nImmediately contact the subject of the report and the family of the child alleged to have been abused or neglected and give each a written and an oral explanation of the family assessment procedure. The family assessment shall be in writing and shall be completed in accordance with Board regulation;4\n\nComplete the family assessment within 60 days and transmit a report to such effect to the Department and to the person who is the subject of the family assessment;5\n\nConsult with the family to arrange for necessary protective and rehabilitative services to be provided to the child and his family. Families have the option of declining the services offered as a result of the family assessment. If the family declines the services, the case shall be closed unless the local department determines that sufficient cause exists to redetermine the case as one that needs to be investigated. In no instance shall a case be redetermined as an investigation solely because the family declines services;6\n\nPetition the court for services deemed necessary;7\n\nMake no disposition of founded or unfounded for reports in which a family assessment is completed. Reports in which a family assessment is completed shall not be entered into the central registry contained in § 63.2-1515;8\n\nCommence an immediate investigation, if at any time during the completion of the family assessment, the local department determines that an investigation is required; and9\n\nUpon request, disclose to the child’s parent or guardian the location of the child, provided that (i) the family assessment has not been completed and a report has not been transmitted pursuant to subdivision 4; (ii) the parent or guardian requesting disclosure of the child’s location has not been the subject of a founded report of child abuse or neglect; (iii) the parent or guardian requesting disclosure of the child’s location has legal custody of the child and provides to the local department any records or other information necessary to verify such custody; (iv) the local department is not aware of any court order, and has confirmed with the child’s other parent or guardian or other person responsible for the care of the child that no court order has been issued, that prohibits or limits contact by the parent or guardian requesting disclosure of the child’s location with the child, the child’s other parent or guardian or other person responsible for the care of the child, or any member of the household in which the child is located; and (v) disclosure of the child’s location to the parent or guardian will not compromise the safety of the child, the child’s other parent or guardian, or any other person responsible for the care of the child.C\n\nWhen a local department has been designated as a child-protective services differential response agency by the Department, the local department may investigate any report of child abuse or neglect, but the following valid reports of child abuse or neglect shall be investigated: (i) sexual abuse, (ii) child fatality, (iii) abuse or neglect resulting in serious injury as defined in § 18.2-371.1, (iv) cases involving a child’s being left alone in the same dwelling with a person to whom the child is not related by blood or marriage and who has been convicted of an offense against a minor for which registration is required as a Tier III offender pursuant to § 9.1-902, (v) child has been taken into the custody of the local department, or (vi) cases involving a caretaker at a state-licensed child day center, religiously exempt child day center, licensed, registered or approved family day home, private or public school, hospital or any institution. If a report or complaint is based upon one of the factors specified in subsection B of § 63.2-1509, the local department shall (a) conduct a family assessment, unless an investigation is required pursuant to this subsection or other provision of law or is necessary to protect the safety of the child, and (b) develop a plan of safe care in accordance with federal law, regardless of whether the local department makes a finding of abuse or neglect.D\n\nAny individual who is the subject of a family assessment conducted under this section shall notify the local department prior to changing his place of residence and provide the local department with the address of his new residence.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":278109,"text":"A family assessment requires the collection of information necessary to determine:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":278110,"text":"The immediate safety needs of the child;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":278111,"text":"The protective and rehabilitative services needs of the child and family that will deter abuse or neglect;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":278112,"text":"Risk of future harm to the child;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":278113,"text":"Whether the mother of a child who was exposed in utero to a controlled substance sought substance abuse counseling or treatment prior to the child’s birth; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":278114,"text":"Alternative plans for the child’s safety if protective and rehabilitative services are indicated and the family is unable or unwilling to participate in services.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"B"},"6":{"id":278115,"text":"When a local department has been designated as a child-protective services differential response system participant by the Department pursuant to \u00a7 63.2-1504 and responds to the report or complaint by conducting a family assessment, the local department shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"B1"},"7":{"id":278116,"text":"Conduct an immediate family assessment and, if the report or complaint was based upon one of the factors specified in subsection B of § 63.2-1509, the local department may file a petition pursuant to § 16.1-241.3;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"8":{"id":278117,"text":"Obtain and consider the results of a search of the child abuse and neglect registry for any individual who is the subject of a family assessment. The local board shall determine whether the individual has resided in another state within at least the preceding five years, and, if he has resided in another state, the local board shall request a search of the child abuse and neglect registry or equivalent registry maintained by such state. The local board also may obtain and consider, in accordance with regulations of the Board, statewide criminal history record information from the Central Criminal Records Exchange for any individual who is the subject of a family assessment;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"9":{"id":278118,"text":"Immediately contact the subject of the report and the family of the child alleged to have been abused or neglected and give each a written and an oral explanation of the family assessment procedure. The family assessment shall be in writing and shall be completed in accordance with Board regulation;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"10":{"id":278119,"text":"Complete the family assessment within 60 days and transmit a report to such effect to the Department and to the person who is the subject of the family assessment;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"11":{"id":278120,"text":"Consult with the family to arrange for necessary protective and rehabilitative services to be provided to the child and his family. Families have the option of declining the services offered as a result of the family assessment. If the family declines the services, the case shall be closed unless the local department determines that sufficient cause exists to redetermine the case as one that needs to be investigated. In no instance shall a case be redetermined as an investigation solely because the family declines services;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"12":{"id":278121,"text":"Petition the court for services deemed necessary;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"B7"},"13":{"id":278122,"text":"Make no disposition of founded or unfounded for reports in which a family assessment is completed. Reports in which a family assessment is completed shall not be entered into the central registry contained in § 63.2-1515;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"B7","prefix_anchor":"B7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"B8"},"14":{"id":278123,"text":"Commence an immediate investigation, if at any time during the completion of the family assessment, the local department determines that an investigation is required; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"B8","prefix_anchor":"B8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B7","next_prefix":"B9"},"15":{"id":278124,"text":"Upon request, disclose to the child’s parent or guardian the location of the child, provided that (i) the family assessment has not been completed and a report has not been transmitted pursuant to subdivision 4; (ii) the parent or guardian requesting disclosure of the child’s location has not been the subject of a founded report of child abuse or neglect; (iii) the parent or guardian requesting disclosure of the child’s location has legal custody of the child and provides to the local department any records or other information necessary to verify such custody; (iv) the local department is not aware of any court order, and has confirmed with the child’s other parent or guardian or other person responsible for the care of the child that no court order has been issued, that prohibits or limits contact by the parent or guardian requesting disclosure of the child’s location with the child, the child’s other parent or guardian or other person responsible for the care of the child, or any member of the household in which the child is located; and (v) disclosure of the child’s location to the parent or guardian will not compromise the safety of the child, the child’s other parent or guardian, or any other person responsible for the care of the child.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"B9","prefix_anchor":"B9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B8","next_prefix":"C"},"16":{"id":278125,"text":"When a local department has been designated as a child-protective services differential response agency by the Department, the local department may investigate any report of child abuse or neglect, but the following valid reports of child abuse or neglect shall be investigated: (i) sexual abuse, (ii) child fatality, (iii) abuse or neglect resulting in serious injury as defined in § 18.2-371.1, (iv) cases involving a child’s being left alone in the same dwelling with a person to whom the child is not related by blood or marriage and who has been convicted of an offense against a minor for which registration is required as a Tier III offender pursuant to § 9.1-902, (v) child has been taken into the custody of the local department, or (vi) cases involving a caretaker at a state-licensed child day center, religiously exempt child day center, licensed, registered or approved family day home, private or public school, hospital or any institution. If a report or complaint is based upon one of the factors specified in subsection B of § 63.2-1509, the local department shall (a) conduct a family assessment, unless an investigation is required pursuant to this subsection or other provision of law or is necessary to protect the safety of the child, and (b) develop a plan of safe care in accordance with federal law, regardless of whether the local department makes a finding of abuse or neglect.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B9","next_prefix":"D"},"17":{"id":278126,"text":"Any individual who is the subject of a family assessment conducted under this section shall notify the local department prior to changing his place of residence and provide the local department with the address of his new residence.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13978,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13898,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:29","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:29","permalink":{"id":271711,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13978,"identifier":"1","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1","url":"\/63.2\/III\/15\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13898,"edition_id":1,"name":"Child Abuse and Neglect","identifier":"15","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13897,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:14","permalink":{"id":271709,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13898,"identifier":"15","token":"63.2\/III\/15","url":"\/63.2\/III\/15\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13897,"edition_id":1,"name":"Social Services Programs","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12789,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:14","permalink":{"id":271331,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13897,"identifier":"III","token":"63.2\/III","url":"\/63.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12789,"edition_id":1,"name":"Welfare (Social Services)","identifier":"63.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":270661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12789,"identifier":"63.2","token":"63.2","url":"\/63.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":55048,"structure_id":13978,"section_number":"63.2-1500","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/63.2-1500\/","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1\/63.2-1500","metadata":false},{"id":71740,"structure_id":13978,"section_number":"63.2-1501","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/63.2-1501\/","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1\/63.2-1501","metadata":false},{"id":74685,"structure_id":13978,"section_number":"63.2-1502","catch_line":"Establishment of Child-Protective Services Unit; duties","url":"\/63.2-1502\/","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1\/63.2-1502","metadata":false},{"id":69022,"structure_id":13978,"section_number":"63.2-1503","catch_line":"Local departments to establish child-protective services; duties","url":"\/63.2-1503\/","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1\/63.2-1503","metadata":false},{"id":76900,"structure_id":13978,"section_number":"63.2-1504","catch_line":"Child-protective services differential response system","url":"\/63.2-1504\/","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1\/63.2-1504","metadata":false},{"id":73140,"structure_id":13978,"section_number":"63.2-1505","catch_line":"Investigations by local departments","url":"\/63.2-1505\/","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1\/63.2-1505","metadata":false},{"id":77537,"structure_id":13978,"section_number":"63.2-1506","catch_line":"Family assessments by local departments","url":"\/63.2-1506\/","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1\/63.2-1506","metadata":false},{"id":85074,"structure_id":13978,"section_number":"63.2-1506.1","catch_line":"Human trafficking assessments by local departments","url":"\/63.2-1506.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1\/63.2-1506.1","metadata":false},{"id":87395,"structure_id":13978,"section_number":"63.2-1507","catch_line":"Cooperation by state entities","url":"\/63.2-1507\/","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1\/63.2-1507","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73140,"structure_id":13978,"section_number":"63.2-1505","catch_line":"Investigations by local departments","url":"\/63.2-1505\/","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1\/63.2-1505","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":85074,"structure_id":13978,"section_number":"63.2-1506.1","catch_line":"Human trafficking assessments by local departments","url":"\/63.2-1506.1\/","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1\/63.2-1506.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/63.2-1506\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2000. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 500<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2002, chapters 641<\/a>, 642<\/a>, and 747<\/a>; in 2017, chapters 176<\/a> and 428<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 823<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 276<\/a> and 436<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 5<\/a>, 228<\/a>, and 829<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":85074,"section_number":"63.2-1506.1","catch_line":"Human trafficking assessments by local departments","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1506.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":69856,"section_number":"16.1-241.3","catch_line":"Newborn children; substance abuse","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-241.3\/"},{"id":65049,"section_number":"18.2-371.1","catch_line":"Abuse and neglect of children; penalties; abandoned infant","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-371.1\/"},{"id":76900,"section_number":"63.2-1504","catch_line":"Child-protective services differential response system","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1504\/"},{"id":86098,"section_number":"63.2-1509","catch_line":"Requirement that certain injuries to children be reported by physicians, nurses, teachers, etc.; penalty for failure to report","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1509\/"},{"id":67092,"section_number":"63.2-1515","catch_line":"Central registry; disclosure of information","order_by":null,"url":"\/63.2-1515\/"},{"id":80819,"section_number":"9.1-902","catch_line":"Offenses requiring registration","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-902\/"}],"permalink":{"id":271737,"object_type":"law","relational_id":77537,"identifier":"63.2-1506","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1\/63.2-1506","url":"\/63.2-1506\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/63.2-1506\/","token":"63.2\/III\/15\/1\/63.2-1506","dublin_core":{"Title":"Family assessments by local departments","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 63.2-1506","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> A family assessment requires the collection of information necessary to determine: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The immediate safety needs of the child<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The protective and rehabilitative services needs of the child<\/span> and family that will deter abuse or neglect; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Risk of future harm to the child<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Whether the mother of a child<\/span> who was exposed in utero to a controlled substance sought substance abuse counseling or treatment prior to the child<\/span>’s birth; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Alternative plans for the child<\/span>’s safety if protective and rehabilitative services are indicated and the family is unable or unwilling to participate in services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> When a local department<\/span> has been designated as a child<\/span>-protective services<\/span> differential response system participant by the Department pursuant to \u00a7 63.2-1504<\/a> and responds to the report or complaint by conducting a family assessment, the local department<\/span> shall: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Conduct an immediate family assessment and, if the report or complaint was based upon one of the factors specified in subsection B of § 63.2-1509<\/a>, the local department<\/span> may file a petition<\/span> pursuant to § 16.1-241.3<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Obtain and consider the results of a search of the child<\/span> abuse and neglect registry for any individual who is the subject of a family assessment. The local board<\/span> shall determine whether the individual has resided in another state within at least the preceding five years, and, if he has resided in another state, the local board<\/span> shall request a search of the child<\/span> abuse and neglect registry or equivalent registry maintained by such state. The local board<\/span> also may obtain and consider, in accordance with regulations of the Board, statewide criminal history record information from the Central Criminal Records Exchange for any individual who is the subject of a family assessment; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Immediately contact the subject of the report and the family of the child<\/span> alleged to have been abused or neglected and give each a written and an oral explanation of the family assessment procedure. The family assessment shall be in writing and shall be completed in accordance with Board regulation; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Complete the family assessment within 60 days and transmit a report to such effect to the Department and to the person who is the subject of the family assessment; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Consult with the family to arrange for necessary protective and rehabilitative services to be provided to the child<\/span> and his family. Families have the option of declining the services offered as a result of the family assessment. If the family declines the services, the case shall be closed unless the local department<\/span> determines that sufficient cause exists to redetermine the case as one that needs to be investigated. In no instance shall a case be redetermined as an investigation solely because the family declines services; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Petition<\/span> the court<\/span> for services deemed necessary; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Make no disposition<\/span> of founded or unfounded for reports in which a family assessment is completed. Reports in which a family assessment is completed shall not be entered into the central registry contained in § 63.2-1515<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Commence an immediate investigation, if at any time during the completion of the family assessment, the local department<\/span> determines that an investigation is required; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Upon request, disclose to the child<\/span>’s parent or guardian the location of the child<\/span>, provided that (i) the family assessment has not been completed and a report has not been transmitted pursuant to subdivision 4; (ii) the parent or guardian requesting disclosure of the child<\/span>’s location has not been the subject of a founded report of child<\/span> abuse or neglect; (iii) the parent or guardian requesting disclosure of the child<\/span>’s location has legal custody<\/span> of the child<\/span> and provides to the local department<\/span> any records or other information necessary to verify such custody<\/span>; (iv) the local department<\/span> is not aware of any court order<\/span>, and has confirmed with the child<\/span>’s other parent or guardian or other person responsible for the care of the child<\/span> that no court order<\/span> has been issued, that prohibits or limits contact by the parent or guardian requesting disclosure of the child<\/span>’s location with the child<\/span>, the child<\/span>’s other parent or guardian or other person responsible for the care of the child<\/span>, or any member of the household in which the child<\/span> is located; and (v) disclosure of the child<\/span>’s location to the parent or guardian will not compromise the safety of the child<\/span>, the child<\/span>’s other parent or guardian, or any other person responsible for the care of the child<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> When a local department<\/span> has been designated as a child<\/span>-protective services<\/span> differential response agency by the Department, the local department<\/span> may investigate any report of child<\/span> abuse or neglect, but the following valid reports of child<\/span> abuse or neglect shall be investigated: (i) sexual abuse, (ii) child<\/span> fatality, (iii) abuse or neglect resulting in serious injury as defined in § 18.2-371.1<\/a>, (iv) cases involving a child<\/span>’s being left alone in the same dwelling with a person to whom the child<\/span> is not related by blood or marriage and who has been convicted of an offense<\/span> against a minor<\/span> for which registration is required as a Tier III offender pursuant to § 9.1-902<\/a>, (v) child<\/span> has been taken into the custody<\/span> of the local department<\/span>, or (vi) cases involving a caretaker at a state-licensed child<\/span> day center, religiously exempt child<\/span> day center, licensed, registered or approved family day home, private or public school, hospital or any institution. If a report or complaint is based upon one of the factors specified in subsection B of § 63.2-1509<\/a>, the local department<\/span> shall (a) conduct a family assessment, unless an investigation is required pursuant to this subsection or other provision of law<\/span> or is necessary to protect the safety of the child<\/span>, and (b) develop a plan of safe care in accordance with federal law<\/span>, regardless of whether the local department<\/span> makes a finding<\/span> of abuse or neglect. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any individual who is the subject of a family assessment conducted under this section shall notify the local department<\/span> prior to changing his place of residence and provide the local department<\/span> with the address of his new residence. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFAMILY ASSESSMENTS BY LOCAL DEPARTMENTS (\u00a7 63.2-1506)\n\nA. A family assessment requires the collection of information necessary to\ndetermine:\n\n 1. The immediate safety needs of the child;\n\n 2. The protective and rehabilitative services needs of the child and family\n that will deter abuse or neglect;\n\n 3. Risk of future harm to the child;\n\n 4. Whether the mother of a child who was exposed in utero to a controlled\n substance sought substance abuse counseling or treatment prior to the\n child’s birth; and\n\n 5. Alternative plans for the child’s safety if protective and\n rehabilitative services are indicated and the family is unable or unwilling to\n participate in services.\n\nB. When a local department has been designated as a child-protective services\ndifferential response system participant by the Department pursuant to \u00a7\n63.2-1504 and responds to the report or complaint by conducting a family\nassessment, the local department shall:\n\n 1. Conduct an immediate family assessment and, if the report or complaint was\n based upon one of the factors specified in subsection B of § 63.2-1509,\n the local department may file a petition pursuant to § 16.1-241.3;\n\n 2. Obtain and consider the results of a search of the child abuse and neglect\n registry for any individual who is the subject of a family assessment. The\n local board shall determine whether the individual has resided in another\n state within at least the preceding five years, and, if he has resided in\n another state, the local board shall request a search of the child abuse and\n neglect registry or equivalent registry maintained by such state. The local\n board also may obtain and consider, in accordance with regulations of the\n Board, statewide criminal history record information from the Central Criminal\n Records Exchange for any individual who is the subject of a family assessment;\n\n 3. Immediately contact the subject of the report and the family of the child\n alleged to have been abused or neglected and give each a written and an oral\n explanation of the family assessment procedure. The family assessment shall be\n in writing and shall be completed in accordance with Board regulation;\n\n 4. Complete the family assessment within 60 days and transmit a report to such\n effect to the Department and to the person who is the subject of the family\n assessment;\n\n 5. Consult with the family to arrange for necessary protective and\n rehabilitative services to be provided to the child and his family. Families\n have the option of declining the services offered as a result of the family\n assessment. If the family declines the services, the case shall be closed\n unless the local department determines that sufficient cause exists to\n redetermine the case as one that needs to be investigated. In no instance\n shall a case be redetermined as an investigation solely because the family\n declines services;\n\n 6. Petition the court for services deemed necessary;\n\n 7. Make no disposition of founded or unfounded for reports in which a family\n assessment is completed. Reports in which a family assessment is completed\n shall not be entered into the central registry contained in § 63.2-1515;\n\n 8. Commence an immediate investigation, if at any time during the completion\n of the family assessment, the local department determines that an\n investigation is required; and\n\n 9. Upon request, disclose to the child’s parent or guardian the location\n of the child, provided that (i) the family assessment has not been completed\n and a report has not been transmitted pursuant to subdivision 4; (ii) the\n parent or guardian requesting disclosure of the child’s location has not\n been the subject of a founded report of child abuse or neglect; (iii) the\n parent or guardian requesting disclosure of the child’s location has\n legal custody of the child and provides to the local department any records or\n other information necessary to verify such custody; (iv) the local department\n is not aware of any court order, and has confirmed with the child’s\n other parent or guardian or other person responsible for the care of the child\n that no court order has been issued, that prohibits or limits contact by the\n parent or guardian requesting disclosure of the child’s location with\n the child, the child’s other parent or guardian or other person\n responsible for the care of the child, or any member of the household in which\n the child is located; and (v) disclosure of the child’s location to the\n parent or guardian will not compromise the safety of the child, the\n child’s other parent or guardian, or any other person responsible for\n the care of the child.\n\nC. When a local department has been designated as a child-protective services\ndifferential response agency by the Department, the local department may\ninvestigate any report of child abuse or neglect, but the following valid\nreports of child abuse or neglect shall be investigated: (i) sexual abuse, (ii)\nchild fatality, (iii) abuse or neglect resulting in serious injury as defined in\n§ 18.2-371.1, (iv) cases involving a child’s being left alone in the\nsame dwelling with a person to whom the child is not related by blood or\nmarriage and who has been convicted of an offense against a minor for which\nregistration is required as a Tier III offender pursuant to § 9.1-902, (v)\nchild has been taken into the custody of the local department, or (vi) cases\ninvolving a caretaker at a state-licensed child day center, religiously exempt\nchild day center, licensed, registered or approved family day home, private or\npublic school, hospital or any institution. If a report or complaint is based\nupon one of the factors specified in subsection B of § 63.2-1509, the local\ndepartment shall (a) conduct a family assessment, unless an investigation is\nrequired pursuant to this subsection or other provision of law or is necessary\nto protect the safety of the child, and (b) develop a plan of safe care in\naccordance with federal law, regardless of whether the local department makes a\nfinding of abuse or neglect.\n\nD. Any individual who is the subject of a family assessment conducted under this\nsection shall notify the local department prior to changing his place of\nresidence and provide the local department with the address of his new\nresidence.\n\nHISTORY: 2000, c. 500, \u00a7 63.1-248.6:02; 2002, cc. 641, 642, 747; 2017, cc. 176,\n428; 2018, c. 823; 2019, cc. 276, 436; 2020, cc. 5, 228, 829; 2021, Sp. Sess. I,\nc. 305.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}