Minnesota Statutes 260E.19 – Conflict of Interest
(a) A potential conflict of interest related to assisting in an investigation or assessment under this chapter resulting in a direct or shared financial interest with a child maltreatment treatment provider or resulting from a personal or family relationship with a party in the investigation must be considered by the local welfare agency in an effort to prevent unethical relationships.
Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 260E.19
- Investigation: means fact gathering conducted during:
(1) a family investigation related to the current safety of a child and the risk of subsequent maltreatment that determines whether maltreatment occurred and whether child protective services are needed; or
(2) a facility investigation related to duties under section 260E. See Minnesota Statutes 260E.03
- Maltreatment: means any of the following acts or omissions:
(1) egregious harm under subdivision 5;
(2) neglect under subdivision 15;
(3) physical abuse under subdivision 18;
(4) sexual abuse under subdivision 20;
(5) substantial child endangerment under subdivision 22;
(6) threatened injury under subdivision 23;
(7) mental injury under subdivision 13; and
(8) maltreatment of a child in a facility. See Minnesota Statutes 260E.03
- Person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
(b) A person who conducts an investigation or assessment under this chapter may not have:
(1) any direct or shared financial interest or referral relationship resulting in a direct shared financial gain with a child maltreatment treatment provider; or
(2) a personal or family relationship with a party in the assessment or investigation.
(c) If an independent assessor is not available, the person responsible for making the determination under this chapter may use the services of an assessor with a financial interest, referral, or personal or family relationship.