CHILD FORENSIC INTERVIEW

Amends the Bill of Rights for Children. Provides that every child reported to the Department of Children and Family Services or law enforcement to be a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse whose case is accepted by either agency for investigation has the right to have that child's forensic interview conducted by a forensic interviewer from a children's advocacy center accredited according to the Children's Advocacy Center Act and serving the child's area, when such service is available. Provides that the right may be asserted by the child or the child's parent or guardian informing the investigating personnel at the Department of Children and Family Services or the law enforcement agency that the parent or guardian wants the child to have the child's interview conducted by the children's advocacy center. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that every child reported to the Department of Children and Family Services or law enforcement to be a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse whose case is accepted by either agency for investigation has the right to have that child's forensic interview conducted by a forensic interviewer from a children's advocacy center accredited according to the Children's Advocacy Center Act and serving the child's area or jurisdiction where the incident(s) occurred, rather than just serving the child's area, when such service is accessible based on the CAC's available resources. Provides that each local CAC protocol will outline a process to address situations in which it is deemed not possible for a forensic interview to occur, to ensure a trauma-informed response with follow up services from the CAC. Effective January 1, 2022.