Child abuse: investigation and prosecution: child advocacy centers.

Existing law states the intent of the Legislature that the law enforcement agencies and the county welfare or probation department of each county develop and implement cooperative arrangements in order to coordinate existing duties in connection with the investigation of suspected child abuse or neglect cases. Existing law requires a local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over a reported case of child abuse to report to the county welfare or probation department that it is investigating the case, and requires the county welfare department or probation department, in certain cases, to evaluate what action or actions would be in the best interest of the child and to submit its findings to the district attorney, as specified. This bill would authorize each county to establish a child advocacy center to coordinate the investigation and prosecution of child abuse. The bill would provide that if a county establishes a child advocacy center, the center shall consist of a representative from the district attorney's office, the sheriff's department or police department, or both those departments, and child protective services and may also include representatives from medical and mental health, victim advocacy, and any other agency relevant to the identification, investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse. The bill would authorize each county to develop an interagency protocol agreement for the collaborative investigation of child abuse and neglect and would require any member of the child advocacy center to sign the protocol. The bill would require the protocol to define the multidisciplinary team, and to detail how the team will work together, as provided.