CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN

Amends the Children's Advocacy Center Act. Provides that Multidisciplinary Team members shall work together, share information, and maintain confidentiality throughout the investigative process. Provides that Multidisciplinary Team members shall coordinate, communicate, and keep nonoffending parents, caregivers, and their families aware of the status of child abuse investigations. Provides that Children's Advocacy Centers shall be (rather than may be) established to coordinate the activities of the various agencies involved in the investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child maltreatment. Provides that every Child Advocacy Center shall include a multidisciplinary systems approach that includes all Multidisciplinary Team members as equal partners in the investigation of child maltreatment. Provides that an investigation into child maltreatment shall include a comprehensive interagency notification procedure for all Multidisciplinary Team partners. Amends the Privacy of Child Victims of Criminal Sexual Offenses Act. Provides that a multidisciplinary team member shall not reveal the identity of any child who is the victim of a criminal sexual offense or is allegedly the victim of a criminal sexual offense in a criminal proceeding or a related investigation, unless permitted by a court order. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that certain exceptions to the hearsay rule shall apply to prosecutions for physical or sexual acts perpetrated upon or against a child or youth who is a victim of trafficking in persons, involuntary servitude, and related offenses. Amends the Bill of Rights for Children. Provides that every child reported to the Department of Children and Family Services to be a victim of a physical act, trafficking in person, involuntary servitude, and related offenses has the right to a forensic interview. Provides that notice of this right must be given by investigative personnel. Amends the Bill of Rights for children. Provides that every child reported to the Department of Children and Family services to be a victim of a physical act, trafficking in persons, involuntary servitude, and related offenses has the right to a forensic interview. Provides that notice of this right must be given by investigation personnel. Makes other changes.

• Adriane L. JohnsonD
• Amy BrielD
• Chris BalkemaR
• Christopher BeltD
• Fred CrespoD
• Jason PlummerR
• Li Arellano, Jr.R
• Matt HansonD
• Mattie HunterD
• Meg Loughran CappelD
• Sally J. TurnerR
• Stephanie A. KifowitD
• Sue SchererD