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, allowing these interviews to take place in various locations, including child protection centers. The bill also clarifies that both child protection workers and peace officers are permitted to record visible evidence of abuse during these interviews. Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions for "observation," detailing the conditions under which a child protection worker may view a child's body, including stipulations for obtaining consent or a court order.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies when a report of child abuse is made. It mandates that if a report is assessed as not constituting child abuse but involves a criminal act, the department must refer the case to law enforcement. The law enforcement agency is then authorized to visit the child's home for interviews or observations, provided they have consent from the child's parent or guardian or have obtained a court order. The bill also makes conforming changes to existing definitions in Code section 232.68 to align with these new provisions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 232.68, 232.71B