Bill > HB3262

This bill amends the Children's Advocacy Center Act to modify rules surrounding forensic interviews of children in abuse or neglect cases. Specifically, the bill clarifies that a person facing criminal charges related to child abuse or neglect cannot challenge a forensic interview's admissibility based on a failure to electronically record the interview. The bill introduces two key exceptions that prevent an interview from being considered a violation of the Act: first, if recording equipment malfunctions through no fault of intentional equipment maintenance failure, and second, if unforeseeable circumstances prevent the interviewer from having the necessary recording equipment. A forensic interview, which is a structured conversation with a child to gather information about potential abuse, remains confidential and can only be viewed by specific professionals like court officials, attorneys, and investigators. The bill aims to provide flexibility in recording forensic interviews while maintaining the integrity of the investigative process and protecting the child's privacy.

Justice

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3262&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104