Ohio § 5101.65

§ 5101.65.

The county department of job and family services or its designee shall be responsible

for the investigation of all reports provided for in section 173.20 or 5101.63 and

all cases referred to it under section 5126.31 of the Revised Code and for evaluating the need for and, to the extent of available funds, providing

or arranging for the provision of protective services. Investigation of the report provided for in section 5101.63 or a case referred to

the department under section 5126.31 of the Revised Code shall be initiated within twenty-four hours after the department receives the report

or case if any emergency exists;  otherwise investigation shall be initiated within

three working days. Investigation of the need for protective services shall include a face-to-face visit

with the adult who is the subject of the report, preferably in the adult's residence,

and consultation with the person who made the report, if feasible, and agencies or

persons who have information about the adult's alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The department shall give written notice of the intent of the investigation and an

explanation of the notice in language reasonably understandable to the adult who is

the subject of the investigation, at the time of the initial interview with that person. Upon completion of the investigation, the department shall determine from its findings

whether or not the adult who is the subject of the report is in need of protective

services.  No adult shall be determined to be abused, neglected, or in need of protective services

for the sole reason that, in lieu of medical treatment, the adult relies on or is

being furnished spiritual treatment through prayer alone in accordance with the tenets

and practices of a church or religious denomination of which the adult is a member

or adherent.  The department shall write a report which confirms or denies the need for protective

services and states why it reached this conclusion.