HB 30

Existing law provides for full membership in the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers for child advocacy centers that meet specified requirements

This bill would expand and clarify the existing requirements for full membership in the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers for child advocacy centers that wish to apply; this bill would also update defined terms

To amend Section 26-16-70, Code of Alabama 1975, to expand and clarify the existing requirements for full membership in the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers for child advocacy centers that wish to apply; and to update defined terms.

Section 1

Section 26-16-70, Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:

§26-16-70.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) FORENSIC INTERVIEW. The same meaning as in Section 12-15-301.

(2) LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. The police department for the municipality and the sheriff's department for the county in which a child advocacy center is located.

(3) MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. A licensed psychiatrist or psychologist.

(b) In order to become eligible for a full membership in the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, Incorporated, child advocacy centers in this state shall:

(1) Be a private, non-profit incorporated Incorporate as a nonprofit agency under the requirements of Section 10A-3-1.01 et seq.

(2) Have Utilize a neutral, child-focused facility where joint Department of Human Resources and law enforcement forensic interviews, conducted jointly by the Department of Human Resources and law enforcement personnel, take place with children in appropriate cases of suspected child sexual and physical abuse. All multidisciplinary agencies shall have utilize a place facility to interact with the child as investigative or treatment needs require.

(3) Have a minimum Employ or utilize designated staff that is supervised and approved by operate under the supervision and approval of the local board of directors of the child advocacy center.

(4) Having Maintain a multidisciplinary case review team that meets on a regularly scheduled basis or as the case load of the community requires to coordinate the multidisciplinary response to child abuse. The At a minimum, the team shall consist of representatives from the district attorney, the Department of Human Resources, mental health, law enforcement, and the Child Advocacy Center staff. Medical personnel and a victim's advocate may be part of the team. the following:

a. The local district attorney, or his or her designee or designees.

b. One or more representatives from the Department of Human Resources.

c. One or more local mental health professionals.

d. One or more representatives from a local law enforcement agency.

e. The staff of the child advocacy center.

(5) Provide case tracking of child abuse cases seen worked through the center. A center shall also and, at a minimum, collect demographic data on: The number of child abuse cases seen at the center by sex, race, age, and other relevant data; the number of cases referred for prosecution; and the number of cases referred for mental health therapy regarding all children referred to the center for services as well as any other data required by the Alabama Network of Child Advocacy Centers.

(6) Provide referrals for Offer on-site medical exams and mental health therapy or provide referrals for off-site medical exams and mental health therapy. The center shall provide follow-up on cases referred for mental health therapy.

(7) Provide training for various disciplines multidisciplinary team members in the community that deal with respond to cases of possible child abuse.

(8) Have Participate in an interagency commitment agreement covering those aspects of agency participation in a multidisciplinary approach to the handling of child sexual and serious physical abuse cases. The agreement must be signed by the following:

a. The local district attorney, or his or her designee.

b. A designee of the Department of Human Resources.

c. A designee of a local law enforcement agency.

d. The director of the child advocacy center.

(9) Provide assurance that staff and volunteers at the center are trained and screened by appropriate resources as specified by the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers."

Section 2

This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law, and is contingent upon the passage of HB____ of the 2019 Regular Session, relating to statements made by children during forensic interviews.