Code of the District of Columbia

§ 4–1301.06a. Exposure of children to drug-related activity.

(a) Upon receipt of a report that a child (1) is born addicted or dependent on a controlled substance or has a significant presence of a controlled substance in his or her system at birth; (2) has a controlled substance in his or her body as a direct and foreseeable consequence of the acts or omissions of the child’s parent, guardian, or custodian; or (3) is regularly exposed to illegal drug-related activity in the home, the Agency shall:

(1) Commence an initial investigation in accordance with §§ 4-1301.04(b) and 4-1301.06;

(2) Determine whether the child should be removed temporarily from the home environment or can be protected in the home environment in accordance with § 4-1301.07(a); and

(3) Commence a social investigation and provide social services in accordance with § 4-1301.09(b), if the initial investigation results in a substantiated report.

(b) A social investigation pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall include:

(1) A determination of whether there is reasonable evidence that any member of the child’s home environment uses drugs illegally, is dependent on drugs, or needs drug abuse treatment;

(2) A determination of whether there is reasonable evidence that the child is exposed regularly to drug use in the home environment;

(3) A determination of whether there is reasonable evidence that the distribution or sale of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia occurs in the child’s home environment; and

(4) A determination of whether there is reasonable evidence that drug-related activity has contributed to or is likely to contribute to violent conduct within the child’s home environment.

(c) The social services required by paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall include:

(1) Provision of drug treatment to any member of the child’s home environment who is determined to be in need of drug treatment according to Chapter 12 of Title 44;

(2) Measures to facilitate action by the child’s family, with the assistance of the Agency and the police, if necessary, to eliminate the child’s exposure to drug use or to the distribution or sale of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia in the home environment; and

(3) Any other service authorized or required by this subchapter or other applicable laws or rules of the District.