CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN ACT 2007 (NO 37 OF 2007) - SECT 34 Giving information for inquiries

CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN ACT 2007 (NO 37 OF 2007) - SECT 34

    (1)     This section applies if inquiries about a child are being made under section 32 or 2007_Actc093.html#_Ref174362235">33 by the CEO or a police officer (the inquiring officer ).

    (2)     The inquiring officer may, for the inquiries, request any of the following persons to give the officer specified information about the child:

    (a)     a parent or another family member of the child;

    (b)     a police officer;

    (c)     a person employed or engaged by an Agency;

    (d)     an operator of child-related services;

    (e)     an operator of children's services;

    (f)     a health practitioner;

    (g)     the person in charge of a hospital or any other facility for health services;

    (h)     the person in charge of a school or any other educational institution;

        (i)     a service provider for a protected child;

    (j)     any other person prescribed by regulation.

    (3)     The person must comply with the request.

Maximum penalty:     200 penalty units.

    (4)     It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (3) if:

    (a)     the defendant has a reasonable excuse; or

    (b)     the Commissioner of Police certifies in writing that compliance with the request would:

        (i)     prejudice the investigation of any unlawful conduct; or

        (ii)     disclose a confidential source of information in relation to the administration of law; or

        (iii)     prejudice the effectiveness of a method or procedure in relation to the administration of law; or

        (iv)     facilitate a person's escape from lawful custody; or

        (v)     endanger the safety of a person.