Ace the North Carolina BLET Exam 2025 – Unleash Your Inner Law Enforcer!

The correct answer of 48 hours aligns with the legal requirements placed on the Department of Social Services (DSS) regarding the reporting of suspected abuse cases to law enforcement. Under North Carolina law, when DSS receives a report concerning allegations of abuse or neglect, they have a strict timeline to communicate this information to law enforcement to ensure the safety of the vulnerable individuals involved and facilitate timely investigations. This 48-hour window is designed to prompt immediate action and coordination between social services and law enforcement in protecting the welfare of potential victims.

Timely reporting is crucial in cases of abuse because delays could exacerbate the situation or lead to further risk for the individuals involved. The other time frames provided—24 hours, 72 hours, and 1 week—do not meet the statutory requirement, underscoring the importance of adhering to the 48-hour protocol established by the state to maintain efficient and effective responses to such critical situations.