Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 9:6-8.40

  • Allegation: something that someone says happened.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.

20. Records involving abuse or neglect. When the Department of Children and Families receives a report or complaint that a child may be abused or neglected; when the department provides services to a child; or when the department receives a request from the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part to investigate an allegation of abuse or neglect, the department may request of any and all public or private institutions, or agencies including law enforcement agencies, or any private practitioners, their records past and present pertaining to that child and other children under the same care, custody and control. The department shall not be charged a fee for the copying of the records. Records kept pursuant to the “New Jersey Code of Juvenile Justice,” P.L.1982, c.77 (C. 2A:4A-20 et seq.) may be obtained by the department, upon issuance by a court of an order on good cause shown directing these records to be released to the department for the purpose of aiding in evaluation to determine if the child is abused or neglected. In the release of the aforementioned records, the source shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal.

L.1974, c.119, s.20; amended 1977, c.209, s.19; 1991, c.91, s.206; 1999, c.53, s.13; 2004, c.130, s.31; 2006, c.47, s.51.