HF 503

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 02/26/2015 05:19pm

A bill for an act
relating to crime victims; establishing a grant program for child advocacy centers
that assist victims of abuse; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law
in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 611A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [611A.376] CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER GRANTS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment and purpose. new text end

new text begin A grant program is established to
provide stable funding and ensure the continued viability of core functions relating to
abuse investigations, interviews, treatment, and related training. The grants ensure that
victims of abuse have access to safe, secure facilities and that law enforcement has access
to the tools necessary for the successful apprehension and conviction of predators of
children and vulnerable adults.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of public safety shall award grants to child
advocacy centers whose primary purpose is to coordinate the investigation, treatment, and
management of abuse cases and to provide direct services to children and vulnerable
adults. Grants may be used for:
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new text begin (1) forensic interviews and child advocacy center interdisciplinary team
investigations, programs, and facilities;
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new text begin (2) mental health services for victims and families;
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new text begin (3) specialized medical examinations;
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new text begin (4) support and advocacy for victims and family members; and
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new text begin (5) specialized training for child advocacy center staff and interdisciplinary team
members.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Applications; eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) Any public or private organization that
utilizes an interdisciplinary team of professionals, which includes law enforcement,
child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical, and advocacy representatives, to
investigate, treat, and manage child and vulnerable adult abuse cases, may apply to the
commissioner for a grant under subdivision 2.
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new text begin (b) The application shall be submitted in a form approved by the commissioner and
shall include evidence that the organization has:
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new text begin (1) a comfortable, private setting that is both physically and psychologically safe for
children, vulnerable adults, and families;
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new text begin (2) sound program, fiscal, and administrative practices;
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new text begin (3) policies, practices, and procedures that are culturally competent. For the purpose
of this paragraph, "culturally competent" is defined as the capacity to function in more
than one culture, requiring the ability to appreciate, understand, and interact with members
of diverse populations within the local community;
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new text begin (4) an interdisciplinary team for the investigation, treatment, and management of
child and vulnerable adult abuse cases;
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new text begin (5) a written set of interagency protocols for an interdisciplinary and coordinated
approach to the investigation of child and vulnerable adult abuse;
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new text begin (6) interviews to be conducted in a manner which is neutral and fact-finding and
coordinated to avoid duplicative interviewing;
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new text begin (7) specialized medical evaluation and treatment as part of the interdisciplinary team
response, either at the center or through coordination with a referral to another appropriate
medical provider;
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new text begin (8) specialized trauma-informed mental health services as part of the interdisciplinary
team response, either at the center or through coordination with the referral to other
appropriate advocacy providers;
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new text begin (9) a routine interdisciplinary case review process for the purpose of decision
making, problem solving, systems coordination, and information sharing concerning case
status and services needed by the child, vulnerable adult, or family;
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new text begin (10) a comprehensive tracking system for monitoring case progress and tracking
case outcomes for team members; and
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new text begin (11) a process for evaluating the effectiveness and operation of the center.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Duties of grantees. new text end

new text begin Every public or private organization that receives a
grant under this section shall comply with all rules of the commissioner related to the
administration of the grant programs.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given:
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new text begin (1) "child" means an individual under the age of 18 years; and
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new text begin (2) "vulnerable adult" has the meaning given in section 609.232, subdivision 11.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2015.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER GRANTS.
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new text begin $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $1,500,000 in fiscal year 2017 are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of public safety for the following grants:
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new text begin (1) $150,000 each fiscal year to the Minnesota Children's Alliance for providing
services to grantees under clauses (2) and (3);
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new text begin (2) an existing center may apply for a grant under Minnesota Statutes, section
611A.376, not to exceed $120,000 each fiscal year; and
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new text begin (3) to the extent funds remain, organizations may apply for grants to develop or
establish child advocacy centers and existing centers may apply for grants to expand or
enhance services outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 611A.376.
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new text begin The appropriations in this section are added to the base.
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