This document includes Senate 3rd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Tue, Feb 14, 2017 at 11:29 AM by lpoole.
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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill amends and enacts provisions concerning child and family services.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 ▸ defines terms;
13 ▸ provides that a chief of police or a sheriff may create a child protection unit;
14 ▸ permits the Division of Child and Family Services (the division) to include
15 members of a child protection unit as part of a child protection team when the
16 division takes a child into custody or files a petition to commence proceedings in
17 juvenile court alleging that a child is abused or neglected;
18 ▸ permits the division to include members of a child protection unit in the child
19 protection team that assists the division in the division's protective, diagnostic,
20 assessment, treatment, and coordination services;
21 ▸ establishes a child protection unit pilot program;
22 ▸ provides for sunset review of the child protection unit pilot program before it is
23 repealed on December 31, 2019; and
24 ▸ ensures that the division may make records that are the result of a child abuse or
25 neglect report available to members of a child protection unit.
26 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
27 None
28 Other Special Clauses:
29 None
30 Utah Code Sections Affected:
31 AMENDS:
32 10-3-913, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2002, Chapter 219
33 17-22-2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 366
34 62A-4a-101, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 75
35 62A-4a-202.3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
36 62A-4a-202.8, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
37 62A-4a-409, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 239
38 62A-4a-412, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 144
39 63I-1-262, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 231
40 78A-6-322, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
41 ENACTS:
42 62A-4a-202.9, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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44 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
45 Section 1. Section 10-3-913 is amended to read:
46 10-3-913. Authority of chief of police.
47 (1) The chief of police has the same authority as the sheriff within the boundaries of
48 the municipality of appointment. The chief has authority to:
49 (a) suppress riots, disturbances, and breaches of the peace;
50 (b) apprehend all persons violating state laws or city ordinances;
51 (c) diligently discharge his duties and enforce all ordinances of the city to preserve the
52 peace, good order, and protection of the rights and property of all persons; [
53 (d) attend the municipal justice court located within the city when required, provide
54 security for the court, and obey its orders and directions[
55 (e) create a child protection unit, as defined in Section 62A-4a-101.
56 (2) This section is not a limitation of a police chief's statewide authority as otherwise
57 provided by law.
58 (3) The chief of police shall, on or before January 1, 2003, adopt a written policy that
59 prohibits the stopping, detention, or search of any person when the action is solely motivated
60 by considerations of race, color, ethnicity, age, or gender.
61 Section 2. Section 17-22-2 is amended to read:
62 17-22-2. Sheriff -- General duties.
63 (1) The sheriff shall:
64 (a) preserve the peace;
65 (b) make all lawful arrests;
66 (c) attend in person or by deputy the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals when
67 required or when the court is held within his county, all courts of record, and court
68 commissioner and referee sessions held within his county, obey their lawful orders and
69 directions, and comply with the court security rule, Rule 3-414, of the Utah Code of Judicial
70 Administration;
71 (d) upon request of the juvenile court, aid the court in maintaining order during
72 hearings and transport a minor to and from youth corrections facilities, other institutions, or
73 other designated places;
74 (e) attend county justice courts if the judge finds that the matter before the court
75 requires the sheriff's attendance for security, transportation, and escort of jail prisoners in his
76 custody, or for the custody of jurors;
77 (f) command the aid of as many inhabitants of his county as he considers necessary in
78 the execution of these duties;
79 (g) take charge of and keep the county jail and the jail prisoners;
80 (h) receive and safely keep all persons committed to his custody, file and preserve the
81 commitments of those persons, and record the name, age, place of birth, and description of
82 each person committed;
83 (i) release on the record all attachments of real property when the attachment he
84 receives has been released or discharged;
85 (j) endorse on all process and notices the year, month, day, hour, and minute of
86 reception, and, upon payment of fees, issue a certificate to the person delivering process or
87 notice showing the names of the parties, title of paper, and the time of receipt;
88 (k) serve all process and notices as prescribed by law;
89 (l) if he makes service of process or notice, certify on the process or notices the
90 manner, time, and place of service, or, if he fails to make service, certify the reason upon the
91 process or notice, and return them without delay;
92 (m) extinguish fires occurring in the undergrowth, trees, or wooded areas on the public
93 land within his county;
94 (n) perform as required by any contracts between the county and private contractors for
95 management, maintenance, operation, and construction of county jails entered into under the
96 authority of Section 17-53-311;
97 (o) for the sheriff of a county that enters into an interlocal agreement for law
98 enforcement service under Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act, provide law
99 enforcement service as provided in the interlocal agreement;
100 (p) manage search and rescue services in his county;
101 (q) obtain saliva DNA specimens as required under Section 53-10-404;
102 (r) on or before January 1, 2003, adopt a written policy that prohibits the stopping,
103 detention, or search of any person when the action is solely motivated by considerations of
104 race, color, ethnicity, age, or gender; [
105 (s) create a child protection unit, as defined in Section 62A-4a-101, if the sheriff
106 determines that creation of a child protection unit is warranted; and
107 [
108 (2) Violation of Subsection (1)(j) is a class C misdemeanor. Violation of any other
109 subsection under Subsection (1) is a class A misdemeanor.
110 (3) (a) As used in this Subsection (3):
111 (i) "Police interlocal entity" has the same meaning as defined in Sections 17-30-3 and
112 17-30a-102.
113 (ii) "Police local district" has the same meaning as defined in Section 17-30-3.
114 (b) A sheriff in a county which includes within its boundary a police local district or
115 police interlocal entity, or both:
116 (i) serves as the chief executive officer of each police local district and police interlocal
117 entity within the county with respect to the provision of law enforcement service within the
118 boundary of the police local district or police interlocal entity, respectively; and
119 (ii) is subject to the direction of the police local district board of trustees or police
120 interlocal entity governing body, as the case may be, as and to the extent provided by
121 agreement between the police local district or police interlocal entity, respectively, and the
122 sheriff.
123 (c) If a police interlocal entity or police local district enters an interlocal agreement
124 with a public agency, as defined in Section 11-13-103, for the provision of law enforcement
125 service, the sheriff:
126 (i) does not serve as the chief executive officer of any interlocal entity created under
127 that interlocal agreement, unless the agreement provides for the sheriff to serve as the chief
128 executive officer; and
129 (ii) shall provide law enforcement service under that interlocal agreement as provided
130 in the agreement.
131 Section 3. Section 62A-4a-101 is amended to read:
132 62A-4a-101. Definitions.
133 As used in this chapter:
134 (1) "Abuse" [
135 (2) "Adoption services" means:
136 (a) placing children for adoption;
137 (b) subsidizing adoptions under Section 62A-4a-105;
138 (c) supervising adoption placements until the adoption is finalized by the court;
139 (d) conducting adoption studies;
140 (e) preparing adoption reports upon request of the court; and
141 (f) providing postadoptive placement services, upon request of a family, for the
142 purpose of stabilizing a possible disruptive placement.
143 (3) "Child" means, except as provided in Part 7, Interstate Compact on Placement of
144 Children, a person under 18 years of age.
145 (4) "Child protection team" means a team consisting of:
146 (a) the caseworker assigned to the case;
147 (b) the caseworker who made the decision to remove the child;
148 (c) a representative of the school or school district where the child attends school;
149 (d) the peace officer who removed the child from the home;
150 (e) a representative of the appropriate Children's Justice Center, if one is established
151 within the county where the child resides;
152 (f) if appropriate, and known to the division, a therapist or counselor who is familiar
153 with the child's circumstances;
154 (g) members of a child protection unit; and
155 (h) any other individuals determined appropriate and necessary by the team coordinator
156 and chair.
157 (5) "Child protection unit" means any unit created by a chief of police or a sheriff of a
158 city, town, metro township, or county that is composed of at least the following individuals
159 who are trained in the prevention, identification, and treatment of abuse or neglect:
160 (a) a law enforcement officer, as defined in Section 53-13-103; and
161 (b) a child advocate selected by the chief of police or a sheriff.
162 [
163 [
164 (8) "Consult" means an interaction between two persons in which the initiating person:
165 (a) provides information to another person;
166 (b) provides the other person an opportunity to respond; and
167 (c) takes the other person's response, if any, into consideration.
168 [
169 accordance with this chapter.
170 [
171 division as of the date of disposition.
172 [
173 less than 24 hours:
174 (a) in the child's own home by a responsible person; or
175 (b) outside of the child's home in a:
176 (i) day-care center;
177 (ii) family group home; or
178 (iii) family child care home.
179 [
180 child, who is homeless or without proper care through no fault of the child's parent, guardian,
181 or custodian.
182 [
183 [
184 [
185 (a) temporary shelter, treatment, and related services to:
186 (i) a person who is a victim of abuse, as defined in Section 78B-7-102; and
187 (ii) the dependent children of a person described in Subsection (12)(a)(i); and
188 (b) treatment services for a person who is alleged to have committed, has been
189 convicted of, or has pled guilty to, an act of domestic violence as defined in Section 77-36-1.
190 [
191 78A-6-105.
192 [
193 help given to individual caretaker relatives to achieve improved household and family
194 management through the services of a trained homemaker.
195 [
196 78A-6-105.
197 [
198 Placement of Children:
199 (a) a child; or
200 (b) a person:
201 (i) who is at least 18 years of age and younger than 21 years of age; and
202 (ii) for whom the division has been specifically ordered by the juvenile court to provide
203 services.
204 [
205 78A-6-105.
206 (21) "Mutual case" means a case that has been:
207 (a) opened by the division under the division's discretion and procedures;
208 (b) opened by the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the case; and
209 (c) accepted for investigation by the child protection unit established by the chief of
210 police or sheriff, as applicable.
211 [
212 includes a minor's noncustodial parent.
213 [
214 78A-6-105.
215 [
216 child by the division from the time the child is removed from the child's home until the earlier
217 of:
218 (a) the shelter hearing; or
219 (b) the child's return home.
220 [
221 (a) in response to evidence of neglect, abuse, or dependency of a child;
222 (b) to a cohabitant who is neglecting or abusing a child, in order to:
223 (i) help the cohabitant develop recognition of the cohabitant's duty of care and of the
224 causes of neglect or abuse; and
225 (ii) strengthen the cohabitant's ability to provide safe and acceptable care; and
226 (c) in cases where the child's welfare is endangered:
227 (i) to bring the situation to the attention of the appropriate juvenile court and law
228 enforcement agency;
229 (ii) to cause a protective order to be issued for the protection of the child, when
230 appropriate; and
231 (iii) to protect the child from the circumstances that endanger the child's welfare
232 including, when appropriate:
233 (A) removal from the child's home;
234 (B) placement in substitute care; and
235 (C) petitioning the court for termination of parental rights.
236 [
237 78A-6-105.
238 [
239 78A-6-105.
240 [
241 78A-6-105.
242 [
243 Section 78A-6-105.
244 [
245 [
246 (a) a state of the United States;
247 (b) the District of Columbia;
248 (c) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
249 (d) the Virgin Islands;
250 (e) Guam;
251 (f) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; or
252 (g) a territory or possession administered by the United States.
253 [
254 youth, and family services administered by the division in accordance with federal law.
255 [
256 but for the age of the offender.
257 [
258 78A-6-105.
259 [
260 preponderance of the evidence that abuse or neglect occurred. Each allegation made or
261 identified in a given case shall be considered separately in determining whether there should be
262 a finding of substantiated.
263 [
264 (a) the placement of a minor in a family home, group care facility, or other placement
265 outside the minor's own home, either at the request of a parent or other responsible relative, or
266 upon court order, when it is determined that continuation of care in the minor's own home
267 would be contrary to the minor's welfare;
268 (b) services provided for a minor awaiting placement; and
269 (c) the licensing and supervision of a substitute care facility.
270 [
271 available at the completion of an investigation that there is a reasonable basis to conclude that
272 abuse, neglect, or dependency occurred. Each allegation made or identified during the course
273 of the investigation shall be considered separately in determining whether there should be a
274 finding of supported.
275 [
276 child in the division from the date of the shelter hearing until disposition.
277 [
278 with escort service, if necessary, to and from community facilities and resources as part of a
279 service plan.
280 [
281 evidence to conclude that abuse or neglect occurred.
282 [
283 there is insufficient evidence to conclude that abuse, neglect, or dependency occurred.
284 However, a finding of unsupported means also that the division worker did not conclude that
285 the allegation was without merit.
286 [
287 the division, or a judicial finding, that the alleged abuse, neglect, or dependency did not occur,
288 or that the alleged perpetrator was not responsible for the abuse, neglect, or dependency.
289 Section 4. Section 62A-4a-202.3 is amended to read:
290 62A-4a-202.3. Investigation -- Supported or unsupported reports -- Child in
291 protective custody.
292 (1) When a child is taken into protective custody in accordance with Section
293 62A-4a-202.1, 78A-6-106, or 78A-6-302, or when the division takes any other action [
294 that would require a shelter hearing under Subsection 78A-6-306(1), the division shall
295 immediately initiate an investigation of the:
296 (a) circumstances of the child; and
297 (b) grounds upon which the decision to place the child into protective custody was
298 made.
299 (2) The division's investigation shall conform to reasonable professional standards, and
300 shall include:
301 (a) a search for and review of any records of past reports of abuse or neglect involving:
302 (i) the same child;
303 (ii) any sibling or other child residing in the same household as the child; and
304 (iii) the alleged perpetrator;
305 (b) with regard to a child who is five years of age or older, a personal interview with
306 the child:
307 (i) outside of the presence of the alleged perpetrator; and
308 (ii) conducted in accordance with the requirements of Subsection (7);
309 (c) if a parent or guardian can be located, an interview with at least one of the child's
310 parents or guardian;
311 (d) an interview with the person who reported the abuse, unless the report was made
312 anonymously;
313 (e) where possible and appropriate, interviews with other third parties who have had
314 direct contact with the child, including:
315 (i) school personnel; and
316 (ii) the child's health care provider;
317 (f) an unscheduled visit to the child's home, unless:
318 (i) there is a reasonable basis to believe that the reported abuse was committed by a
319 person who:
320 (A) is not the child's parent; and
321 (B) does not:
322 (I) live in the child's home; or
323 (II) otherwise have access to the child in the child's home; or
324 (ii) an unscheduled visit is not necessary to obtain evidence for the investigation; and
325 (g) if appropriate and indicated in any case alleging physical injury, sexual abuse, or
326 failure to meet the child's medical needs, a medical examination, obtained no later than 24
327 hours after the child is placed in protective custody.
328 (3) The division may rely on a written report of a prior interview rather than
329 conducting an additional interview, if:
330 (a) law enforcement:
331 (i) previously conducted a timely and thorough investigation regarding the alleged
332 abuse, neglect, or dependency; and
333 (ii) produced a written report;
334 (b) the investigation described in Subsection (3)(a)(i) included one or more of the
335 interviews required by Subsection (2); and
336 (c) the division finds that an additional interview is not in the best interest of the child.
337 (4) (a) The division's determination of whether a report is supported or unsupported
338 may be based on the child's statements alone.
339 (b) Inability to identify or locate the perpetrator may not be used by the division as a
340 basis for:
341 (i) determining that a report is unsupported; or
342 (ii) closing the case.
343 (c) The division may not determine a case to be unsupported or identify a case as
344 unsupported solely because the perpetrator was an out-of-home perpetrator.
345 (d) Decisions regarding whether a report is supported, unsupported, or without merit
346 shall be based on the facts of the case at the time the report was made.
347 (5) The division should maintain protective custody of the child if it finds that one or
348 more of the following conditions exist:
349 (a) the child does not have a natural parent, guardian, or responsible relative who is
350 able and willing to provide safe and appropriate care for the child;
351 (b) (i) shelter of the child is a matter of necessity for the protection of the child; and
352 (ii) there are no reasonable means by which the child can be protected in:
353 (A) the child's home; or
354 (B) the home of a responsible relative;
355 (c) there is substantial evidence that the parent or guardian is likely to flee the
356 jurisdiction of the court; or
357 (d) the child has left a previously court ordered placement.
358 (6) (a) Within 24 hours after receipt of a child into protective custody, excluding
359 weekends and holidays, the division shall:
360 (i) convene a child protection team to review the circumstances regarding removal of
361 the child from the child's home or school; and
362 (ii) prepare the testimony and evidence that will be required of the division at the
363 shelter hearing, in accordance with Section 78A-6-306.
364 [
365 [
366 [
367 [
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373 [
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375 (b) The child protection team may include members of a child protection unit.
376 (c) At the 24-hour meeting, the division shall have available for review and
377 consideration the complete child protective services and foster care history of the child and the
378 child's parents and siblings.
379 (7) (a) After receipt of a child into protective custody and prior to the adjudication
380 hearing, all investigative interviews with the child that are initiated by the division shall be:
381 (i) except as provided in Subsection (7)(b), audio or video taped; and
382 (ii) except as provided in Subsection (7)(c), conducted with a support person of the
383 child's choice present.
384 (b) (i) Subject to Subsection (7)(b)(ii), an interview described in Subsection (7)(a) may
385 be conducted without being taped if the child:
386 (A) is at least nine years old;
387 (B) refuses to have the interview audio taped; and
388 (C) refuses to have the interview video taped.
389 (ii) If, pursuant to Subsection (7)(b)(i), an interview is conducted without being taped,
390 the child's refusal shall be documented, as follows:
391 (A) the interviewer shall attempt to get the child's refusal on tape, including the reasons
392 for the refusal; or
393 (B) if the child does not allow the refusal, or the reasons for the refusal, to be taped, the
394 interviewer shall:
395 (I) state on the tape that the child is present, but has refused to have the interview,
396 refusal, or the reasons for the refusal taped; or
397 (II) if complying with Subsection (7)(b)(ii)(B)(I) will result in the child, who would
398 otherwise consent to be interviewed, to refuse to be interviewed, the interviewer shall
399 document, in writing, that the child refused to allow the interview to be taped and the reasons
400 for that refusal.
401 (iii) The division shall track the number of interviews under this Subsection (7) that are
402 not taped, and the number of refusals that are not taped, for each interviewer, in order to
403 determine whether a particular interviewer has a higher incidence of refusals, or taped refusals,
404 than other interviewers.
405 (c) (i) Notwithstanding Subsection (7)(a)(ii), the support person who is present for an
406 interview of a child may not be an alleged perpetrator.
407 (ii) Subsection (7)(a)(ii) does not apply if the child refuses to have a support person
408 present during the interview.
409 (iii) If a child described in Subsection (7)(c)(ii) refuses to have a support person
410 present in the interview, the interviewer shall document, in writing, the refusal and the reasons
411 for the refusal.
412 (iv) The division shall track the number of interviews under this Subsection (7) where
413 a child refuses to have a support person present for each interviewer, in order to determine
414 whether a particular interviewer has a higher incidence of refusals than other interviewers.
415 (8) The division shall cooperate with law enforcement investigations and with a child
416 protection unit, if applicable, regarding the alleged perpetrator.
417 (9) The division may not close an investigation solely on the grounds that the division
418 investigator is unable to locate the child until all reasonable efforts have been made to locate
419 the child and family members including:
420 (a) visiting the home at times other than normal work hours;
421 (b) contacting local schools;
422 (c) contacting local, county, and state law enforcement agencies; and
423 (d) checking public assistance records.
424 Section 5. Section 62A-4a-202.8 is amended to read:
425 62A-4a-202.8. Child protection team meeting -- Timing.
426 (1) Subject to Subsection (2), if the division files a petition under Section 78A-6-304,
427 the division shall convene a child protection team meeting to:
428 (a) review the circumstances of the filing of the petition; and
429 (b) develop or review implementation of a safety plan to protect the child from further
430 abuse, neglect, or dependency.
431 (2) The child protection team meeting required under Subsection (1) shall be held
432 within the shorter of:
433 (a) 14 days of the day on which the petition is filed under Section 78A-6-304 if the
434 conditions of Subsection (2)(b) or (c) are not met;
435 (b) 24 hours of the filing of the petition under Section 78A-6-304, excluding weekends
436 and holidays, if the child who is the subject of the petition will likely be taken into protective
437 custody unless there is an expedited hearing and services ordered under the protective
438 supervision of the court; or
439 (c) 24 hours after receipt of a child into protective custody, excluding weekends and
440 holidays, if the child is taken into protective custody as provided in Section 62A-4a-202.3.
441 (3) The child protection team [
442
443 (4) At its meeting the child protection team shall review the complete child protective
444 services and foster care history of the child and the child's parents and siblings.
445 Section 6. Section 62A-4a-202.9 is enacted to read:
446 62A-4a-202.9. Child protection unit pilot program.
447 (1) The division shall establish and operate, as funding allows, a child protection unit
448 pilot program in up to three areas of the state where a local government has established a child
449 protection unit.
450 (2) The child protection unit pilot program is established to improve communications
451 between a child protection unit and the division in the division's management of child welfare
452 matters and to strengthen the state's child welfare system.
453 (3) The pilot program may include:
454 (a) involving a child protection unit in the child protection team during the division's
455 investigation when a child is taken into protective custody, as described in Section
456 62A-4a-202.3;
457 (b) involving a child protection unit in the child protection team meetings, as described
458 in Section 62A-4a-202.8;
459 (c) involving a child protection unit in the division's protective, diagnostic, assessment,
460 treatment, and coordination services, as described in Section 62A-4a-409; or
461 (d) receiving referrals, reports, or other information from a child protection unit about a
462 child protection unit's investigations of cases that may involve abuse, neglect, or dependency of
463 a child.
464 (4) The division shall consult with a child protection unit before the division closes a
465 mutual case.
466 (5) The child protection unit shall notify the division if the child protection unit closes
467 an investigation related to a mutual case.
468 (6) The division and the child protection unit shall coordinate on mutual cases at least
469 once every month.
470 (7) Subject to Section 62A-4a-412, while in meetings or while coordinating with the
471 child protection unit about a mutual case, the division shall grant the child protection unit
472 access to the division's information or records on the mutual case.
473 (8) A child protection unit may share case-specific information obtained from the
474 division with members of a Ŝ→ [
475 (a) assembled by the child protection unit for a particular case;
476 (b) assembled when a case demonstrates:
477 (i) the likelihood of severe child abuse or neglect; or
478 (ii) a high risk of repetition as evidenced by previous involvements with law
479 enforcement;
480 (c) assembled for the purpose of information sharing and identification of resources,
481 services, or actions that are in the best interest of the child or the child's family; and
482 (d) composed of:
483 (i) a victim advocate;
484 (ii) a therapist;
485 (iii) a representative of the child's school district; or
486 (iv) another individual that the child protection unit designates as valuable to provide
487 necessary services to the child or the family of the child.
488 (9) The division and the child protection unit shall collect data on the effectiveness of
489 the pilot program in strengthening the state's child welfare system and shall report the data to
490 the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Committee on or before November 30 of each year
491 that the pilot program is in effect.
492 Section 7. Section 62A-4a-409 is amended to read:
493 62A-4a-409. Investigation by division -- Temporary protective custody --
494 Preremoval interviews of children.
495 (1) (a) The division shall make a thorough preremoval investigation upon receiving
496 either an oral or written report of alleged abuse, neglect, fetal alcohol syndrome, or fetal drug
497 dependency, when there is reasonable cause to suspect that a situation of abuse, neglect, fetal
498 alcohol syndrome, or fetal drug dependency exists.
499 (b) The primary purpose of the investigation described in Subsection (1)(a) shall be
500 protection of the child.
501 (2) The preremoval investigation described in Subsection (1)(a) shall include the same
502 investigative requirements described in Section 62A-4a-202.3.
503 (3) The division shall make a written report of its investigation that shall include a
504 determination regarding whether the alleged abuse or neglect is supported, unsupported, or
505 without merit.
506 (4) (a) The division shall use an interdisciplinary approach when appropriate in dealing
507 with reports made under this part.
508 (b) [
509 child protection [
510 diagnostic, assessment, treatment, and coordination services.
511 (c) The division may include members of a child protection unit in the division's
512 protective, diagnostic, assessment, treatment, and coordination services.
513 [
514 Members of the team shall serve at the coordinator's invitation. Whenever possible, the team
515 shall include representatives of:
516 (i) health, mental health, education, and law enforcement agencies;
517 (ii) the child;
518 (iii) parent and family support groups unless the parent is alleged to be the perpetrator;
519 and
520 (iv) other appropriate agencies or individuals.
521 (5) If a report of neglect is based upon or includes an allegation of educational neglect,
522 the division shall immediately consult with school authorities to verify the child's status in
523 accordance with Sections 53A-11-101 through 53A-11-103.
524 (6) When the division completes its initial investigation under this part, it shall give
525 notice of that completion to the person who made the initial report.
526 (7) Division workers or other child protection team members have authority to enter
527 upon public or private premises, using appropriate legal processes, to investigate reports of
528 alleged abuse or neglect, upon notice to parents of their rights under the Child Abuse
529 Prevention and Treatment Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 5106, or any successor thereof.
530 (8) With regard to any interview of a child prior to removal of that child from the
531 child's home:
532 (a) except as provided in Subsection (8)(b) or (c), the division shall inform a parent of
533 the child prior to the interview of:
534 (i) the specific allegations concerning the child; and
535 (ii) the time and place of the interview;
536 (b) if a child's parent or stepparent, or a parent's paramour has been identified as the
537 alleged perpetrator, the division is not required to comply with Subsection (8)(a);
538 (c) if the perpetrator is unknown, or if the perpetrator's relationship to the child's family
539 is unknown, the division may conduct a minimal interview or conversation, not to exceed 15
540 minutes, with the child prior to complying with Subsection (8)(a);
541 (d) in all cases described in Subsection (8)(b) or (c), a parent of the child shall be
542 notified as soon as practicable after the child has been interviewed, but in no case later than 24
543 hours after the interview has taken place;
544 (e) a child's parents shall be notified of the time and place of all subsequent interviews
545 with the child; and
546 (f) the child shall be allowed to have a support person of the child's choice present,
547 who:
548 (i) may include:
549 (A) a school teacher;
550 (B) an administrator;
551 (C) a guidance counselor;
552 (D) a child care provider;
553 (E) a family member;
554 (F) a family advocate; or
555 (G) clergy; and
556 (ii) may not be a person who is alleged to be, or potentially may be, the perpetrator.
557 (9) In accordance with the procedures and requirements of Sections 62A-4a-202.1
558 through 62A-4a-202.3, a division worker or child protection team member may take a child
559 into protective custody and deliver the child to a law enforcement officer, or place the child in
560 an emergency shelter facility approved by the juvenile court, at the earliest opportunity
561 subsequent to the child's removal from the child's original environment. Control and
562 jurisdiction over the child is determined by the provisions of Title 78A, Chapter 6, Juvenile
563 Court Act [
564 (10) With regard to cases in which law enforcement has or is conducting an
565 investigation of alleged abuse or neglect of a child:
566 (a) the division shall coordinate with law enforcement to ensure that there is an
567 adequate safety plan to protect the child from further abuse or neglect; and
568 (b) the division is not required to duplicate an aspect of the investigation that, in the
569 division's determination, has been satisfactorily completed by law enforcement.
570 (11) With regard to a mutual case in which a child protection unit was involved in the
571 investigation of alleged abuse or neglect of a child, the division shall consult with the child
572 protection unit before closing the case.
573 Section 8. Section 62A-4a-412 is amended to read:
574 62A-4a-412. Reports and information confidential.
575 (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, reports made pursuant to this part, as
576 well as any other information in the possession of the division obtained as the result of a report
577 are private, protected, or controlled records under Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records
578 Access and Management Act, and may only be made available to:
579 (a) a police or law enforcement agency investigating a report of known or suspected
580 abuse or neglect, including members of a child protection unit;
581 (b) a physician who reasonably believes that a child may be the subject of abuse or
582 neglect;
583 (c) an agency that has responsibility or authority to care for, treat, or supervise a minor
584 who is the subject of a report;
585 (d) a contract provider that has a written contract with the division to render services to
586 a minor who is the subject of a report;
587 (e) except as provided in Subsection 63G-2-202(10), a subject of the report, the natural
588 parents of the child, and the guardian ad litem;
589 (f) a court, upon a finding that access to the records may be necessary for the
590 determination of an issue before the court, provided that in a divorce, custody, or related
591 proceeding between private parties, the record alone is:
592 (i) limited to objective or undisputed facts that were verified at the time of the
593 investigation; and
594 (ii) devoid of conclusions drawn by the division or any of the division's workers on the
595 ultimate issue of whether or not a person's acts or omissions constituted any level of abuse or
596 neglect of another person;
597 (g) an office of the public prosecutor or its deputies in performing an official duty;
598 (h) a person authorized by a Children's Justice Center, for the purposes described in
599 Section 67-5b-102;
600 (i) a person engaged in bona fide research, when approved by the director of the
601 division, if the information does not include names and addresses;
602 (j) the State Board of Education, acting on behalf of itself or on behalf of a school
603 district, for the purpose of evaluating whether an individual should be permitted to obtain or
604 retain a license as an educator or serve as an employee or volunteer in a school, limited to
605 information with substantiated findings involving an alleged sexual offense, an alleged felony
606 or class A misdemeanor drug offense, or any alleged offense against the person under Title 76,
607 Chapter 5, Offenses Against the Person, and with the understanding that the office must
608 provide the subject of a report received under Subsection (1)(k) with an opportunity to respond
609 to the report before making a decision concerning licensure or employment;
610 (k) any person identified in the report as a perpetrator or possible perpetrator of abuse
611 or neglect, after being advised of the screening prohibition in Subsection (2);
612 (l) except as provided in Subsection 63G-2-202(10), a person filing a petition for a
613 child protective order on behalf of a child who is the subject of the report; and
614 (m) a licensed child-placing agency or person who is performing a preplacement
615 adoptive evaluation in accordance with the requirements of Sections 78B-6-128 and
616 78B-6-130.
617 (2) (a) A person, unless listed in Subsection (1), may not request another person to
618 obtain or release a report or any other information in the possession of the division obtained as
619 a result of the report that is available under Subsection (1)(k) to screen for potential
620 perpetrators of abuse or neglect.
621 (b) A person who requests information knowing that it is a violation of Subsection
622 (2)(a) to do so is subject to the criminal penalty in Subsection (4).
623 (3) (a) Except as provided in Section 62A-4a-1007 and Subsection (3)(b), the division
624 and law enforcement officials shall ensure the anonymity of the person or persons making the
625 initial report and any others involved in its subsequent investigation.
626 (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, excluding Section 78A-6-317, but
627 including this chapter and Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management
628 Act, when the division makes a report or other information in its possession available under
629 Subsection (1)(e) to a subject of the report or a parent of a child, the division shall remove from
630 the report or other information only the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of
631 individuals or specific information that could:
632 (i) identify the referent;
633 (ii) impede a criminal investigation; or
634 (iii) endanger a person's safety.
635 (4) Any person who wilfully permits, or aides and abets the release of data or
636 information obtained as a result of this part, in the possession of the division or contained on
637 any part of the Management Information System, in violation of this part or Sections
638 62A-4a-1003 through 62A-4a-1007, is guilty of a class C misdemeanor.
639 (5) The physician-patient privilege is not a ground for excluding evidence regarding a
640 child's injuries or the cause of those injuries, in any proceeding resulting from a report made in
641 good faith pursuant to this part.
642 (6) A child-placing agency or person who receives a report in connection with a
643 preplacement adoptive evaluation pursuant to Sections 78B-6-128 and 78B-6-130:
644 (a) may provide this report to the person who is the subject of the report; and
645 (b) may provide this report to a person who is performing a preplacement adoptive
646 evaluation in accordance with the requirement of Sections 78B-6-128 and 78B-6-130, or to a
647 licensed child-placing agency or to an attorney seeking to facilitate an adoption.
648 Section 9. Section 63I-1-262 is amended to read:
649 63I-1-262. Repeal dates, Title 62A.
650 (1) Section 62A-4a-213 is repealed July 1, 2019.
651 (2) Section 62A-4a-202.9 is repealed December 31, 2019.
652 [
653 Section 10. Section 78A-6-322 is amended to read:
654 78A-6-322. Abuse, neglect, or dependency of child -- Coordination of
655 proceedings.
656 (1) In each case where an information or indictment has been filed against a defendant
657 concerning abuse, neglect, or dependency of a child, and a petition has been filed in juvenile
658 court concerning the victim, the appropriate county attorney's or district attorney's office shall
659 coordinate with the attorney general's office.
660 (2) Law enforcement personnel, Division of Child and Family Services personnel, the
661 appointed guardian ad litem, pretrial services personnel, and corrections personnel shall make
662 reasonable efforts to facilitate the coordination required by this section.
663 (3) Members of interdisciplinary child protection teams, established under Section
664 62A-4a-409, may participate in the coordination required by this section.
665 (4) Members of a child protection unit, established under Section 10-3-913 or 17-22-2,
666 may coordinate with the attorney general's office, Division of Child and Family Services
667 personnel, the appointed guardian ad litem, pretrial services personnel, and corrections
668 personnel as appropriate.