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July 1, 2026

32 • Medical records or written statements from a mental health professional that pertain to the emotional health history, present emotional health status, or prognosis of the parent or child • Birth certificates, medical records, or law enforcement records that indicate that the child may have been conceived as a result of incest or sexual assault • Court documents or other records that indicate that a petition for the adoption of the child has been filed with a court • A written statement from a public or private social services agency that the parent is being assisted by the agency in deciding whether to terminate parental rights • Written and signed statements from others with knowledge of the circumstances on which the good cause claim is based, including, but not limited to, statements from neighbors, friends, family, or clergy • Any other supporting evidence

This section last updated 12/1/2022

Section 4.7.4.3 Good Cause Claim Investigation The local agency must investigate any good cause claim based on anticipated harm, even when the claim is credible without supporting evidence and when the local agency knows supporting evidence is not available. Good cause must be found when the parent’s statement and the local agency’s investigation satisfy the local agency that good cause exists.

The local agency may investigate good cause claims based on any other criteria when the individual’s statement and the supporting evidence do not provide enough information to make a determination.

Parents must cooperate with the local agency’s investigation. The local agency may contact the Child Support Agency during any good cause claim investigation. The local agency is not allowed to contact the individual alleged to have committed acts that are the basis of a good cause claim.

This section last updated 12/1/2022

Section 4.7.4.4 Good Cause Determination The local agency must determine if good cause exists within 45 calendar days from the date the Good Cause Claim form (DCF-F-DWSP2019-E) was signed unless an extension to submit evidence was granted to the parent who is claiming good cause or more time is necessary for the local agency to obtain evidence.