(A) INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE
CENTRAL REGISTRY ON CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT IS CONFIDENTIAL. RELEASE OF CENTRAL
REGISTRY INFORMATION OTHER THAN THAT LISTED IN THIS RULE IS UNAUTHORIZED
DISSEMINATION. ANY PERSON WHO PERMITS OR ENCOURAGES THE UNAUTHORIZED
DISSEMINATION OF THE CONTENTS OF A CENTRAL REGISTRY REPORT IS GUILTY OF A
MISDEMEANOR OF THE FOURTH DEGREE.
(B) A PCSA OR CHILDREN SERVICES
AGENCY (CSA) MAY ONLY REQUEST AND RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM THE CENTRAL
REGISTRY BECAUSE IT HAS RECEIVED A REPORT OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT. IN AN
EMERGENCY SITUATION, THE REQUESTED INFORMATION MAY BE RELEASED BY TELEPHONE TO A
VERIFIED REPRESENTATIVE OF A PCSA OR CSA. VERIFICATION WILL OCCUR
BY STAFF OF THE CENTRAL REGISTRY CALLING THE PCSA OR CSA AND
ASKING FOR THE REPRESENTATIVE REQUESTING THE INFORMATION. THE FOLLOWING
INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED:
(1) NAME AND ROLE OF EACH PRINCIPAL REGISTERED IN ANY PRIOR REPORT;
(2) DATE, ALLEGATION AND RESOLUTION/DISPOSITION OF EACH REPORT;
(3) NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE COUNTY INVOLVED IN EACH REPORT.
(C) ODJFS MAY CONDUCT OR
AUTHORIZE STUDIES OF DATA CONTAINED IN THE CENTRAL REGISTRY AND DISTRIBUTE
RESULTS OF SUCH STUDIES, PROVIDED THAT NO SUCH STUDY CONTAINS THE NAME OR OTHER
INFORMATION BY WHICH A PRINCIPAL OF A REPORT OR AN OUT-OF-HOME CARE SETTING
COULD BE IDENTIFIED OR DEDUCTIVELY INFERRED. PRIOR TO RELEASING INFORMATION, ODJFS
MUST BE SATISFIED THAT:
(1) THE INFORMATION WILL BE USED ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IT IS MADE AVAILABLE;
(2) SUCH PURPOSE SHALL BE RELATED TO THE GOAL OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES; AND
(3) THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE INFORMATION WILL BE PRESERVED.
(D) ANY PERSON ENGAGED IN A RESEARCH
PROJECT APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OR BY ODJFS
MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION FROM THE CENTRAL REGISTRY. THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
SHALL BE IN WRITING AND APPROVED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR WHO ADMINISTERS CHILD
PROTECTIVE SERVICES. SUCH INFORMATION SHALL NOT INCLUDE THE IDENTITIES OR
INFORMATION BY WHICH AN IDENTITY COULD BE DEDUCTIVELY INFERRED FOR ANY PRINCIPAL
IN THE REPORT OR AN OUT-OF-HOME CARE SETTING. NO INFORMATION RELEASED FOR
RESEARCH MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT MIGHT SERVE TO IDENTIFY ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO
HAS MADE A REPORT OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT.
(E) INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT
OF A REPORT OF ALLEGED CHILD ABUSE AND/OR NEGLECT MAY INQUIRE AS TO WHETHER
THEIR NAMES HAVE BEEN PLACED OR REMAIN ON THE CENTRAL REGISTRY BY SUBMITTING A
WRITTEN REQUEST TO ODJFS. THE WRITTEN REQUEST MUST BE SIGNED BY THE
INDIVIDUAL WHO IS THE SUBJECT OF THE INQUIRY AND CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING:
(1) THE INDIVIDUAL'S ADDRESS, DATE OF BIRTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER;
(2) COPIES OF TWO FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION (I.E., SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, DRIVER'S LICENSE OR STATE ID, BIRTH CERTIFICATE).
(F) A NOTARIZED REQUEST CONTAINING THE
INDIVIDUAL'S ADDRESS, DATE OF BIRTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER MAY BE SUBMITTED
IN LIEU OF THE COPIES OF TWO FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION.
(G) APPROPRIATE ODJFS STAFF WILL CONDUCT
A SEARCH OF THE CENTRAL REGISTRY AND RESPOND IN WRITING DIRECTLY TO THE
INDIVIDUAL WHO IS THE SUBJECT OF THE INQUIRY.
RULE REPLACES: 5101:2-35-20
EFFECTIVE DATE: 4/1/2001
REVIEW DATE:
CERTIFICATION: Jo Ann Davidson
DATE
PROMULGATED UNDER: REVISED CODE CHAPTER 119.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: REVISED CODE SECTION 2151.421
RULE AMPLIFIES: REVISED CODE SECTION 2151.421
PRIOR EFFECTIVE DATES: 11/22/81, 01/01/90