This bill amends existing laws regarding the procedures for interviewing children in cases of suspected child abuse. It expands the definition of "interview" to include interactions conducted not only by child protection workers but also by peace officers, and allows these interviews to take place in various locations, including child protection centers. Additionally, the bill clarifies that both child protection workers and peace officers are permitted to record visible evidence of abuse during these interviews.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the conditions under which law enforcement agencies can visit a child's home for interviews or observations. Specifically, it stipulates that such visits can occur if consent is obtained from the child's parent or guardian or if authorized by a juvenile court upon a showing of probable cause. The bill also makes conforming changes to the definitions related to child abuse reporting and assessment in Code section 232.68, ensuring that the language reflects these new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 232.68, 232.71B