8-813. Preplacement investigation; medical examination; disposition

A. On the initial out-of-home placement of a child:

1. The division or a licensed child welfare agency shall conduct an investigation of the child designed to establish an appropriate plan for placement of the child.

2. The child shall receive a complete medical examination.

3. The child may receive such further diagnosis and evaluation as are necessary.

B. The department shall develop policies and procedures with public input to allow the child to maintain contact by telephone, mail or visits with the child's parents, family members, friends and other relatives and any former foster parent, unless the court determines that the contact is not in the child's best interests.  Before the department allows contact it must determine that there are no court orders relating to any superior court criminal case that prohibit the parent or guardian from contact with the child.

C. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, before a court orders counseling, testing or other treatment services, it shall first determine that the proposed services are necessary and appropriate.

D. Subsequent to initial placement, the child placed in a setting other than the child's parent's home shall have a medical examination at periodic intervals, not less than once each year.

E. Contagious and infectious diseases shall be treated immediately at the county hospital or other appropriate medical facility.

F. If the investigation and medical examination disclose no physical, mental or emotional reasons for special care, and the child is not found delinquent, the child may be placed in a regular foster home. If special care is required, or the child has been found delinquent, the child may be placed only in foster homes that are certified as special foster homes or such other appropriate facilities where children may be treated.