Bill > HB1028

This bill addresses child exposure to violence by updating definitions and guidance for children's advocacy centers and child forensic interviews. The legislature recognizes that children's exposure to violence is a significant public health crisis with potentially severe long-term consequences. The bill revises the legal definitions of key terms in child protection law, specifically focusing on children's advocacy centers and child forensic interviews. The updated definition of a children's advocacy center now emphasizes a trauma-informed, facility-based program that provides a safe location for forensic interviews and supports a coordinated multidisciplinary response to child abuse allegations. The definition of a child forensic interview is expanded to describe a more comprehensive, developmentally sensitive, and culturally responsive interview process conducted by specially trained professionals. Additionally, the bill introduces a new section establishing guidelines for peer review of child forensic interviews, which serves as a quality assurance mechanism. The peer review process allows for confidential review of interview recordings from closed cases, with strict confidentiality requirements for participants. Overall, the bill aims to improve support for child victims of abuse and those exposed to violence by modernizing legal definitions and supporting best practices in child protection.