N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:52-4.9 - Special requirements to prevent child abuse and neglect

(a) The sponsor, sponsor representative, director, or any staff member shall verbally notify the State Central Registry Hotline (1-877 NJ ABUSE/1-877-652-2873) immediately whenever there is reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect by a staff member, or any other adult, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.9, 8.10, 8.13, and 8.14.

(b) In addition to the reporting requirements specified in (a) above, the sponsor, sponsor representative, director, or any staff member shall advise the parent(s) of the occurrence of any unusual incident(s) that occurred at the center and that might indicate possible abuse or neglect involving the child. Such notification shall be made on the same day on which the incident occurred. Such incidents may include, but are not limited to, unusual sexual activity; violent or destructive behavior; withdrawal or passivity; or significant change(s) in the child's personality, behavior or habits. The center shall maintain on file a record of such incidents and documentation that parents have been informed of them.

(c) The Department, during the course of investigating an allegation of child abuse or neglect, may determine that corrective action is necessary to protect the children whenever:

1. The sponsor, sponsor representative, director, or staff member has been found by the Department's Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit (IAIU) to pose a risk of harm to children;

2. The sponsor, sponsor representative, director, or staff member has committed an act of child abuse or neglect, as substantiated by the IAIU; or

3. The sponsor, sponsor representative, director, or staff member has been convicted of such acts.

(d) Whenever the Department makes a determination that corrective action is necessary to protect the children, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall carry out the Department's recommendation for corrective action. Such corrective action may include, but not be limited to:

1. Removal or suspension of the affected sponsor, sponsor representative, director, or staff member(s) from the center or reassignment to other duties that do not involve contact with the children; or

2. When the sponsor, sponsor representative, director, or staff member resides at the facility where the center is located, removal of the affected employee from the premises for a period of time extending from one hour prior to the arrival of the children until one hour after the children have left.

(e) Such suspension, removal, or reassignment, as specified in (d)1 and 2 above, shall remain in effect until the results of the Department's investigation have been determined and a final decision in the matter has been rendered by the Office of Licensing.

(f) If an allegation of child abuse or neglect is substantiated against a staff member, the sponsor or sponsor representative shall immediately terminate the staff member's employment at the center. If an allegation of child abuse or neglect is substantiated against the sponsor or sponsor representative, the Department shall revoke or refuse to renew the license or Certificate of Life/Safety Approval, as applicable.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 3A:52-4.9

Administrative Change, 49 N.J.R. 98a. Amended by 49 N.J.R. 413(a), effective 3/6/2017