RSA 639-A:4 · Protective Custody for Health Screening; Reports Required

639-A:4 Protective Custody for Health Screening; Reports Required. –

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I.

A peace officer shall, pursuant to RSA 169-C:6, take any child present in an area where any of the activities described in RSA 639-A:2 are taking place into protective custody. Upon taking a child into protective custody, the peace officer shall follow the procedures outlined in RSA 169-C:6 and shall report the matter to the department of health and human services as a suspected incident of abuse or neglect under RSA 169-C:29. The department shall investigate the report in accordance with RSA 169-C:34 and shall, as part of its investigation, screen the child for possible health concerns related to exposure to a controlled substance or substances, except pursuant to a valid prescription as defined by RSA 318-B:1, XXVIII.

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II.

If a peace officer does not take a child into protective custody under this section, but has reason to believe that the child may have been exposed to a controlled substance or substances, except pursuant to a valid prescription as defined by RSA 318-B:1, XXVIII, the peace officer shall report the matter to the department of health and human services as a suspected incident of abuse or neglect under RSA 169-C:29. The department shall investigate the report in accordance with RSA 169-C:34 and may, as part of its investigation, screen the child for possible health concerns related to exposure to a controlled substance or substances, except pursuant to a valid prescription as defined by RSA 318-B:1, XXVIII. Source. 2006, 135:1, eff. May 19, 2006. 2025, 189:4, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.

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