This section governs the establishment, organization and duties of child advocacy centers to coordinate the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse and other child abuse and neglect and the referral of victims of child sexual abuse and other child abuse and neglect for treatment.
1.Definitions.
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
2.Center; child advocacy advisory board.
A district may establish one center within the district. A district that establishes a center shall establish a child advocacy advisory board to govern the center.
3.Child advocacy centers; memorandum of understanding; participants.
On the execution of a memorandum of understanding, a center may be established. A memorandum of under
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This section governs the establishment, organization and duties of child advocacy centers to coordinate the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse and other child abuse and neglect and the referral of victims of child sexual abuse and other child abuse and neglect for treatment.
1.
Definitions.
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
2.
Center; child advocacy advisory board.
A district may establish one center within the district. A district that establishes a center shall establish a child advocacy advisory board to govern the center.
3.
Child advocacy centers; memorandum of understanding; participants.
On the execution of a memorandum of understanding, a center may be established. A memorandum of understanding regarding participation in the operation of the center must be executed among the following:
4.
Elements of memorandum of understanding.
A memorandum of understanding under this section must include the agreement of each participant to cooperate in:
5.
Office space and administrative services.
A memorandum of understanding under this section may include the agreement of one or more participants to provide office space and administrative services necessary for the center's operation.
6.
Child advocacy center duties.
A center shall:
7.
Multidisciplinary team.
A center shall appoint a multidisciplinary team.
8.
Immunity from liability.
A person is immune from civil liability for a recommendation or an opinion given in good faith while acting in the official scope of the person's duties as a member of a center's multidisciplinary team or as a staff member or volunteer of a center.
9.
Confidential records except recordings of forensic interviews.
The files, reports, records, communications and working papers used or developed in providing services under this section are confidential and are not public records for purposes of Title 1, chapter 13, subchapter 1. Except for recordings of forensic interviews, which are governed by subsection 9‑A, information may be disclosed only to the following in order for them to carry out their duties:
9-A.
Recordings of forensic interviews confidential.
The following provisions govern recordings of forensic interviews used or developed in providing services under this section. Recordings of forensic interviews are confidential and are not public records for purposes of Title 1, chapter 13, subchapter 1. Information may be disclosed:
10.
Reports.
Beginning January 2015, the department shall annually report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters regarding the centers. The report must include the number of centers and an overview of the protocols adopted by the centers and the effectiveness of the centers in coordinating the investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse and other child abuse and neglect and referral of victims of child sexual abuse and other child abuse and neglect for treatment. The committee may submit legislation related to the report.