1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to judiciary; requiring judicial training on needs of child witnesses;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 480.30, subdivision 1.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 480.30, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.6 		Subdivision 1.Child abuse; domestic abuse; harassment. The Supreme Court's 
1.7 	judicial education program must include ongoing training for district court judges on child 
1.8 	and adolescent sexual abuse, domestic abuse, harassment, stalking, and related civil and 
1.9 	criminal court issues. The program must include the following:
1.10 	(1) information about the specific needs of victims;
1.11 	(2) education on the causes of sexual abuse and family violence;
1.12 	(3) education on culturally responsive approaches to serving victims;
1.13 	(4) education on the impacts of domestic abuse and domestic abuse allegations on 
1.14 	children and the importance of considering these impacts when making parenting time and 
1.15 	child custody decisions under chapter 518; and
1.16 	(5) information on alleged and substantiated reports of domestic abuse, including, 
1.17 	but not limited to, Department of Human Services survey data; and
1.18 	(6) information about the specific needs of child witnesses during testimony.
1.19 	The program also must emphasize the need for the coordination of court and legal 
1.20 	victim advocacy services and include education on sexual abuse and domestic abuse 
1.21 	programs and policies within law enforcement agencies and prosecuting authorities as 
1.22 	well as the court system.