"An Act relating to child abuse investigations and training. "

On June 25, 2003, the "Child Abuse Prevention Treatment Act" (CAPTA) was signed into law in our nation's capital. This act requires states to implement two provisions for protecting families during the child investigative process. Provisions of this act require states to ensure they have:

(xvii) provisions and procedures to require that a representative of the child protective services agency shall, at the initial time of contact with the individual subject to a child abuse and neglect investigation, advise the individual of the complaints or allegations made against the individual, in a manner that is consistent with laws protecting the rights of the informant;

(xviii) provisions addressing the training of representatives of the child protective services system regarding the legal duties of the representatives, which may consist of various methods of informing such representatives of such duties, in order to protect the legal rights and safety of children and families from the initial time of contact during investigation through treatment;

This bill ensures that as a state we are in compliance with CAPTA. It is important that the training of child protective services personnel ensures that they are knowledgeable in best practices for promoting collaboration with families and that they are fully aware of the extent and limits of their legal authority and the legal rights of parents while carrying out such investigations.

# # #