South Carolina Code 63-7-2000. Retention and disclosure of records of unfounded cases
(B) The alleged perpetrator in an unfounded report who has reason to believe that the report was made maliciously or in bad faith has the right to request in writing that records of the report be retained by the department for up to two years from the date of the case decision. The written request must be received by the department within thirty days of the person’s receiving notice of the case decision. A person exercising this right may request a copy of the record of the unfounded case and the department shall provide a copy of the record, subject to subsection (C).
Terms Used In South Carolina Code 63-7-2000
- Child: means a person under the age of eighteen. See South Carolina Code 63-7-20
- Child protective services: means assistance provided by the department as a result of indicated reports or affirmative determinations of child abuse or neglect, including assistance ordered by the family court or consented to by the family. See South Carolina Code 63-7-20
- Court: means the family court. See South Carolina Code 63-7-20
- Department: means the Department of Social Services. See South Carolina Code 63-7-20
- Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
- Probable cause: means facts and circumstances based upon accurate and reliable information, including hearsay, that would justify a reasonable person to believe that a child subject to a report under this chapter is abused or neglected. See South Carolina Code 63-7-20
- Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
- Unfounded report: means a report made pursuant to this chapter for which there is not a preponderance of evidence to believe that the child is abused or neglected. See South Carolina Code 63-7-20
(C) The department shall disclose to persons exercising the rights afforded them under this section whether the report was made anonymously. However, the identity of a reporter must not be made available to the person except by order of the family court.
(D) An alleged perpetrator in an unfounded case who believes the report was made maliciously or in bad faith may petition the family court to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the reporter acted maliciously or in bad faith. The court shall determine probable cause based on an in camera review of the case record and oral or written argument, or both. If the court finds probable cause, the identity of the reporter must be disclosed to the moving party.
(E) Notwithstanding other provisions of the law affecting confidentiality of child protective services records and use and disclosure of records of unfounded cases, a court conducting civil or criminal proceedings resulting from disclosures authorized by this section may order the department to release the record to any party to the case or the law enforcement.
(F) The department is authorized to release a summary of the allegations and outcome of an investigation for unfounded cases regarding a child and family to a South Carolina Children’s Advocacy Medical Response System child abuse health care provider or his designee for evaluation of the child for suspected abuse or neglect.