Code of Massachusetts Regulations
110 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Title 110 CMR 4.00 - Intake
Intake for Protective Service Delivery
Section 4.23 - Screening Reports with a Potential Conflict of Interest

(1) If a 51A report concerns a Department employee, a member of a Department employee's household; a Department employee's non-household immediate family member, or an Area Board Member or other citizen advisory group member, the Department shall immediately refer the report to the Central Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for screening and response.

(2) If a 51A report concerns a staff member of the SIU or the Case Investigation Unit (CIU), the Commissioner or designee shall determine which Area Office or contracted agency will conduct the Screening and response.

(3) If a 51A report concerns foster parent(s) or pre-adoptive parent(s), the Area Office covering the geographic area of the home shall begin the screening process by ensuring the immediate safety of the child(ren). After recording the initial information from the reporter, the Area Office shall transfer the 51A report to the SIU to complete the screening and response as necessary, unless the director of the SIU determines it would be more expedient for the Area Office to complete the response.