This bill proposes to amend section 8-817 of the Arizona Revised Statutes by introducing a requirement for forensic interviews of children who allege sexual abuse or are subjects of reports alleging such abuse. Specifically, it mandates that a trained individual must conduct these interviews within seventy-two hours of receiving the report. The definition of "sexual abuse" is expanded to include various offenses, such as sexual conduct with a minor and child sex trafficking, as outlined in the current statutes.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for exceptions to the seventy-two-hour requirement if the department can demonstrate "good cause" for a delay, which may include circumstances such as the child receiving in-patient care or being unavailable for the interview. Furthermore, it clarifies that failing to meet the interview requirements does not impact the admissibility of the child's statements in legal proceedings. Overall, these updates aim to enhance the investigative process for allegations of sexual abuse involving children.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-817