The bill enhances the responsibilities of the Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board and establishes a new "Problematic Sexual Behavior Program" aimed at addressing youth exhibiting problematic sexual behaviors. It includes provisions for an annual progress review program for child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliance with accreditation standards set by the National Children's Alliance. The bill allocates $8.5 million to support these initiatives, emphasizing a coordinated response to child abuse and neglect through collaboration among law enforcement, child protective services, and mental health professionals.

Key amendments include the creation of a Problematic Sexual Behavior Subcommittee within the advisory board to oversee the statewide response to reports of problematic sexual behavior and evaluate the effectiveness of the new program. The bill replaces the concept of "certification" with an "annual progress review program" for child advocacy centers and multidisciplinary teams, increases the board's membership from 10 to 13, and clarifies grant distribution guidelines by the Department of Children and Families. Additionally, it introduces the "Child Treatment Assistance Fund" to cover medical and mental health services for affected youth, with the program administered by the New Jersey Children's Alliance to provide screening, referrals, and training for mental health providers. The bill is set to take effect three months after enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9:6-8.107, 9:6-8.108, 9:6-8.109, 9:6-8.110, 9:6-8.111, 9:6-8.113