SF 3218

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/10/2010 12:38pm

A bill for an act
relating to children; requiring appointment of a guardian ad litem in certain
family law proceedings; providing for family screening and therapeutic
management in cases involving parental allegations of sexual abuse; modifying
provisions governing child maltreatment investigations; providing for a working
group to develop screening tools; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections
518.165, subdivision 2, by adding a subdivision; 626.556, subdivisions 10, 14;
Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 626.556, subdivision 2.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 518.165, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Required appointment of guardian ad litem.

new text begin (a) new text end In all proceedings for
child custody or for marriage dissolution or legal separation in which custody or parenting
time with a minor child is an issue, new text begin the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem new text end if new text begin : new text end

new text begin (1) new text end the court has reason to believe that the minor child is a victim of domestic
child abuse or neglect, as those terms are defined in sections 260C.007 and 626.556 deleted text begin ,
respectively, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem deleted text end new text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (2) a parent alleges that the minor child is a victim of sexual abuse, as defined in
section 626.556, committed by the other parent and there is no physical evidence of the
abuse new text end .

new text begin (b) new text end The guardian ad litem shall represent the interests of the child and advise the
court with respect to custody and parenting time. If the child is represented by a guardian
ad litem in any other pending proceeding, the court may appoint that guardian to represent
the child in the custody or parenting time proceeding. No guardian ad litem need be
appointed if the alleged domestic child abuse or neglect is before the court on a juvenile
dependency and neglect petition. Nothing in this subdivision requires the court to appoint
a guardian ad litem in any proceeding for child custody, marriage dissolution, or legal
separation in which an allegation of domestic child abuse or neglect has not been made.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 518.165, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 2b. new text end

new text begin Family screening and therapeutic management; parental allegation
of sexual abuse. new text end

new text begin (a) This subdivision applies if a guardian ad litem is appointed under
subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), and there is not sufficient evidence of sexual
abuse for purposes of a criminal prosecution or a determination under section 626.556 that
maltreatment involving sexual abuse by the parent has occurred. The guardian ad litem
shall conduct an initial screening of the family by obtaining information regarding:
new text end

new text begin (1) the child's general and sexual behavior and emotional adjustment;
new text end

new text begin (2) the behavior of the parent alleged to have committed sexual abuse and the
presence of empirically validated risk factors for sexual abuse; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the relevant behavior and background of the parent who is alleging sexual abuse.
new text end

new text begin To the extent appropriate, the guardian ad litem shall obtain information on other
children in the family. Based on information obtained from the screening, the guardian
ad litem shall make a recommendation to the court as to whether it would be in the best
interests of the child to order the family to participate in a family therapeutic management
process.
new text end

new text begin (b) Upon recommendation from the guardian ad litem, the court may order that the
parents and the child who is the alleged victim of sexual abuse participate in a therapeutic
management process. If the family is referred to the process, the court shall appoint a
therapeutic management coordinator to oversee a comprehensive evaluation of the parents
and the alleged victim and develop a family-focused intervention and reunification plan.
new text end

new text begin (c) In conducting the initial screening of family members under paragraph (a), the
guardian ad litem shall use questionnaires approved by the state court administrator.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2011.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2009 Supplement, section 626.556, subdivision 2, is
amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Definitions.

As used in this section, the following terms have the meanings
given them unless the specific content indicates otherwise:

(a) "Family assessment" new text begin or "assessment" new text end means a comprehensive assessment of
child safety, risk of subsequent child maltreatment, and family strengths and needs that is
applied to a child maltreatment report that does not allege substantial child endangerment.
Family assessment does not include a determination as to whether child maltreatment
occurred but does determine the need for services to address the safety of family members
and the risk of subsequent maltreatment.

(b) "Investigation" means fact gathering related to the current safety of a child
and the risk of subsequent maltreatment that determines whether child maltreatment
occurred and whether child protective services are needed. An investigation must be used
when reports involve substantial child endangerment, and for reports of maltreatment in
facilities required to be licensed under chapter 245A or 245B; under sections 144.50 to
144.58 and 241.021; in a school as defined in sections 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, and
13, and 124D.10; or in a nonlicensed personal care provider association as defined in
sections 256B.04, subdivision 16, and 256B.0625, subdivision 19a.

(c) "Substantial child endangerment" means a person responsible for a child's care,
and in the case of sexual abuse includes a person who has a significant relationship to the
child as defined in section 609.341, or a person in a position of authority as defined in
section 609.341, who by act or omission commits or attempts to commit an act against a
child under their care that constitutes any of the following:

(1) egregious harm as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14;

(2) sexual abuse as defined in paragraph (d);

(3) abandonment under section 260C.301, subdivision 2;

(4) neglect as defined in paragraph (f), clause (2), that substantially endangers the
child's physical or mental health, including a growth delay, which may be referred to as
failure to thrive, that has been diagnosed by a physician and is due to parental neglect;

(5) murder in the first, second, or third degree under section 609.185, 609.19, or
609.195;

(6) manslaughter in the first or second degree under section 609.20 or 609.205;

(7) assault in the first, second, or third degree under section 609.221, 609.222, or
609.223;

(8) solicitation, inducement, and promotion of prostitution under section 609.322;

(9) criminal sexual conduct under sections 609.342 to 609.3451;

(10) solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct under section 609.352;

(11) malicious punishment or neglect or endangerment of a child under section
609.377 or 609.378;

(12) use of a minor in sexual performance under section 617.246; or

(13) parental behavior, status, or condition which mandates that the county attorney
file a termination of parental rights petition under section 260C.301, subdivision 3,
paragraph (a).

(d) "Sexual abuse" means the subjection of a child by a person responsible for the
child's care, by a person who has a significant relationship to the child, as defined in
section 609.341, or by a person in a position of authority, as defined in section 609.341,
subdivision 10, to any act which constitutes a violation of section 609.342 (criminal sexual
conduct in the first degree), 609.343 (criminal sexual conduct in the second degree),
609.344 (criminal sexual conduct in the third degree), 609.345 (criminal sexual conduct
in the fourth degree), or 609.3451 (criminal sexual conduct in the fifth degree). Sexual
abuse also includes any act which involves a minor which constitutes a violation of
prostitution offenses under sections 609.321 to 609.324 or 617.246. Sexual abuse includes
threatened sexual abuse.

(e) "Person responsible for the child's care" means (1) an individual functioning
within the family unit and having responsibilities for the care of the child such as a
parent, guardian, or other person having similar care responsibilities, or (2) an individual
functioning outside the family unit and having responsibilities for the care of the child
such as a teacher, school administrator, other school employees or agents, or other lawful
custodian of a child having either full-time or short-term care responsibilities including,
but not limited to, day care, babysitting whether paid or unpaid, counseling, teaching,
and coaching.

(f) "Neglect" means the commission or omission of any of the acts specified under
clauses (1) to (9), other than by accidental means:

(1) failure by a person responsible for a child's care to supply a child with necessary
food, clothing, shelter, health, medical, or other care required for the child's physical or
mental health when reasonably able to do so;

(2) failure to protect a child from conditions or actions that seriously endanger the
child's physical or mental health when reasonably able to do so, including a growth delay,
which may be referred to as a failure to thrive, that has been diagnosed by a physician and
is due to parental neglect;

(3) failure to provide for necessary supervision or child care arrangements
appropriate for a child after considering factors as the child's age, mental ability, physical
condition, length of absence, or environment, when the child is unable to care for the
child's own basic needs or safety, or the basic needs or safety of another child in their care;

(4) failure to ensure that the child is educated as defined in sections 120A.22 and
260C.163, subdivision 11, which does not include a parent's refusal to provide the parent's
child with sympathomimetic medications, consistent with section 125A.091, subdivision 5;

(5) nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that a child is neglected solely
because the child's parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the child's care in
good faith selects and depends upon spiritual means or prayer for treatment or care of
disease or remedial care of the child in lieu of medical care; except that a parent, guardian,
or caretaker, or a person mandated to report pursuant to subdivision 3, has a duty to report
if a lack of medical care may cause serious danger to the child's health. This section does
not impose upon persons, not otherwise legally responsible for providing a child with
necessary food, clothing, shelter, education, or medical care, a duty to provide that care;

(6) prenatal exposure to a controlled substance, as defined in section 253B.02,
subdivision 2, used by the mother for a nonmedical purpose, as evidenced by withdrawal
symptoms in the child at birth, results of a toxicology test performed on the mother at
delivery or the child at birth, or medical effects or developmental delays during the child's
first year of life that medically indicate prenatal exposure to a controlled substance;

(7) "medical neglect" as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 6, clause (5);

(8) chronic and severe use of alcohol or a controlled substance by a parent or
person responsible for the care of the child that adversely affects the child's basic needs
and safety; or

(9) emotional harm from a pattern of behavior which contributes to impaired
emotional functioning of the child which may be demonstrated by a substantial and
observable effect in the child's behavior, emotional response, or cognition that is not
within the normal range for the child's age and stage of development, with due regard to
the child's culture.

(g) "Physical abuse" means any physical injury, mental injury, or threatened injury,
inflicted by a person responsible for the child's care on a child other than by accidental
means, or any physical or mental injury that cannot reasonably be explained by the child's
history of injuries, or any aversive or deprivation procedures, or regulated interventions,
that have not been authorized under section 121A.67 or 245.825.

Abuse does not include reasonable and moderate physical discipline of a child
administered by a parent or legal guardian which does not result in an injury. Abuse does
not include the use of reasonable force by a teacher, principal, or school employee as
allowed by section 121A.582. Actions which are not reasonable and moderate include,
but are not limited to, any of the following that are done in anger or without regard to the
safety of the child:

(1) throwing, kicking, burning, biting, or cutting a child;

(2) striking a child with a closed fist;

(3) shaking a child under age three;

(4) striking or other actions which result in any nonaccidental injury to a child
under 18 months of age;

(5) unreasonable interference with a child's breathing;

(6) threatening a child with a weapon, as defined in section 609.02, subdivision 6;

(7) striking a child under age one on the face or head;

(8) purposely giving a child poison, alcohol, or dangerous, harmful, or controlled
substances which were not prescribed for the child by a practitioner, in order to control or
punish the child; or other substances that substantially affect the child's behavior, motor
coordination, or judgment or that results in sickness or internal injury, or subjects the
child to medical procedures that would be unnecessary if the child were not exposed
to the substances;

(9) unreasonable physical confinement or restraint not permitted under section
609.379, including but not limited to tying, caging, or chaining; or

(10) in a school facility or school zone, an act by a person responsible for the child's
care that is a violation under section 121A.58.

(h) "Report" means any report received by the local welfare agency, police
department, county sheriff, or agency responsible for assessing or investigating
maltreatment pursuant to this section.

(i) "Facility" means:

(1) a licensed or unlicensed day care facility, residential facility, agency, hospital,
sanitarium, or other facility or institution required to be licensed under sections 144.50 to
144.58, 241.021, or 245A.01 to 245A.16, or chapter 245B;

(2) a school as defined in sections 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, and 13; and
124D.10; or

(3) a nonlicensed personal care provider organization as defined in sections 256B.04,
subdivision 16, and 256B.0625, subdivision 19a.

(j) "Operator" means an operator or agency as defined in section 245A.02.

(k) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of human services.

(l) "Practice of social services," for the purposes of subdivision 3, includes but is
not limited to employee assistance counseling and the provision of guardian ad litem and
parenting time expeditor services.

(m) "Mental injury" means an injury to the psychological capacity or emotional
stability of a child as evidenced by an observable or substantial impairment in the child's
ability to function within a normal range of performance and behavior with due regard to
the child's culture.

(n) "Threatened injury" means a statement, overt act, condition, or status that
represents a substantial risk of physical or sexual abuse or mental injury. Threatened
injury includes, but is not limited to, exposing a child to a person responsible for the
child's care, as defined in paragraph (e), clause (1), who has:

(1) subjected a child to, or failed to protect a child from, an overt act or condition
that constitutes egregious harm, as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 14, or a
similar law of another jurisdiction;

(2) been found to be palpably unfit under section 260C.301, paragraph (b), clause
(4), or a similar law of another jurisdiction;

(3) committed an act that has resulted in an involuntary termination of parental rights
under section 260C.301, or a similar law of another jurisdiction; or

(4) committed an act that has resulted in the involuntary transfer of permanent legal
and physical custody of a child to a relative under section 260C.201, subdivision 11,
paragraph (d), clause (1), or a similar law of another jurisdiction.

(o) Persons who conduct assessments or investigations under this section shall take
into account accepted child-rearing practices of the culture in which a child participates
and accepted teacher discipline practices, which are not injurious to the child's health,
welfare, and safety.

(p) "Accidental" means a sudden, not reasonably foreseeable, and unexpected
occurrence or event which:

(1) is not likely to occur and could not have been prevented by exercise of due
care; and

(2) if occurring while a child is receiving services from a facility, happens when the
facility and the employee or person providing services in the facility are in compliance
with the laws and rules relevant to the occurrence or event.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 626.556, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Duties of local welfare agency and local law enforcement agency upon
receipt of report.

(a) Upon receipt of a report, the local welfare agency shall determine
whether to conduct a family assessment or an investigation as appropriate to prevent or
provide a remedy for child maltreatment. The local welfare agency:

(1) shall conduct an investigation on reports involving substantial child
endangerment;

(2) shall begin an immediate investigation if, at any time when it is using a family
assessment response, it determines that there is reason to believe that substantial child
endangerment or a serious threat to the child's safety exists;

(3) may conduct a family assessment for reports that do not allege substantial child
endangerment. In determining that a family assessment is appropriate, the local welfare
agency may consider issues of child safety, parental cooperation, and the need for an
immediate response; and

(4) may conduct a family assessment on a report that was initially screened and
assigned for an investigation. In determining that a complete investigation is not required,
the local welfare agency must document the reason for terminating the investigation and
notify the local law enforcement agency if the local law enforcement agency is conducting
a joint investigation.

If the report alleges neglect, physical abuse, or sexual abuse by a parent, guardian,
or individual functioning within the family unit as a person responsible for the child's
care, or sexual abuse by a person with a significant relationship to the child when that
person resides in the child's household or by a sibling, the local welfare agency shall
immediately conduct a family assessment or investigation as identified in clauses (1)
to (4). In conducting a family assessment or investigation, the local welfare agency
shall gather information on the existence of substance abuse and domestic violence and
offer services for purposes of preventing future child maltreatment, safeguarding and
enhancing the welfare of the abused or neglected minor, and supporting and preserving
family life whenever possible. If the report alleges a violation of a criminal statute
involving sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect or endangerment, under section
609.378, the local law enforcement agency and local welfare agency shall coordinate the
planning and execution of their respective investigation and assessment efforts to avoid a
duplication of fact-finding efforts and multiple interviews. Each agency shall prepare a
separate report of the results of its new text begin assessment or new text end investigation. In cases of alleged child
maltreatment resulting in death, the local agency may rely on the fact-finding efforts of a
law enforcement investigation to make a determination of whether or not maltreatment
occurred. When necessary the local welfare agency shall seek authority to remove the
child from the custody of a parent, guardian, or adult with whom the child is living. In
performing any of these duties, the local welfare agency shall maintain appropriate records.

If the family assessment or investigation indicates there is a potential for abuse of
alcohol or other drugs by the parent, guardian, or person responsible for the child's care,
the local welfare agency shall conduct a chemical use assessment pursuant to Minnesota
Rules, part 9530.6615. The local welfare agency shall report the determination of the
chemical use assessment, and the recommendations and referrals for alcohol and other
drug treatment services to the state authority on alcohol and drug abuse.

(b) When a local agency receives a report or otherwise has information indicating
that a child who is a client, as defined in section 245.91, has been the subject of physical
abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect at an agency, facility, or program as defined in section
245.91, it shall, in addition to its other duties under this section, immediately inform the
ombudsman established under sections 245.91 to 245.97. The commissioner of education
shall inform the ombudsman established under sections 245.91 to 245.97 of reports
regarding a child defined as a client in section 245.91 that maltreatment occurred at a
school as defined in sections 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, and 13, and 124D.10.

(c) Authority of the local welfare agency responsible for assessing or investigating
the child abuse or neglect report, the agency responsible for assessing or investigating
the report, and of the local law enforcement agency for investigating the alleged abuse or
neglect includes, but is not limited to, authority to interview, without parental consent,
the alleged victim and any other minors who currently reside with or who have resided
with the alleged offender. The interview may take place at school or at any facility or
other place where the alleged victim or other minors might be found or the child may be
transported to, and the interview conducted at, a place appropriate for the interview of a
child designated by the local welfare agency or law enforcement agency. The interview
may take place outside the presence of the alleged offender or parent, legal custodian,
guardian, or school official. For family assessments, it is the preferred practice to request
a parent or guardian's permission to interview the child prior to conducting the child
interview, unless doing so would compromise the safety assessment. Except as provided in
this paragraph, the parent, legal custodian, or guardian shall be notified by the responsible
local welfare or law enforcement agency no later than the conclusion of the investigation
or assessment that this interview has occurred. Notwithstanding rule 32 of the Minnesota
Rules of Procedure for Juvenile Courts, the juvenile court may, after hearing on an ex parte
motion by the local welfare agency, order that, where reasonable cause exists, the agency
withhold notification of this interview from the parent, legal custodian, or guardian. If the
interview took place or is to take place on school property, the order shall specify that
school officials may not disclose to the parent, legal custodian, or guardian the contents
of the notification of intent to interview the child on school property, as provided under
this paragraph, and any other related information regarding the interview that may be a
part of the child's school record. A copy of the order shall be sent by the local welfare or
law enforcement agency to the appropriate school official.

(d) When the local welfare, local law enforcement agency, or the agency responsible
for assessing or investigating a report of maltreatment determines that an interview should
take place on school property, written notification of intent to interview the child on school
property must be received by school officials prior to the interview. The notification
shall include the name of the child to be interviewed, the purpose of the interview, and
a reference to the statutory authority to conduct an interview on school property. For
interviews conducted by the local welfare agency, the notification shall be signed by the
chair of the local social services agency or the chair's designee. The notification shall be
private data on individuals subject to the provisions of this paragraph. School officials
may not disclose to the parent, legal custodian, or guardian the contents of the notification
or any other related information regarding the interview until notified in writing by the
local welfare or law enforcement agency that the investigation or assessment has been
concluded, unless a school employee or agent is alleged to have maltreated the child.
Until that time, the local welfare or law enforcement agency or the agency responsible
for assessing or investigating a report of maltreatment shall be solely responsible for any
disclosures regarding the nature of the assessment or investigation.

Except where the alleged offender is believed to be a school official or employee,
the time and place, and manner of the interview on school premises shall be within the
discretion of school officials, but the local welfare or law enforcement agency shall have
the exclusive authority to determine who may attend the interview. The conditions as to
time, place, and manner of the interview set by the school officials shall be reasonable and
the interview shall be conducted not more than 24 hours after the receipt of the notification
unless another time is considered necessary by agreement between the school officials and
the local welfare or law enforcement agency. Where the school fails to comply with the
provisions of this paragraph, the juvenile court may order the school to comply. Every
effort must be made to reduce the disruption of the educational program of the child, other
students, or school staff when an interview is conducted on school premises.

(e) Where the alleged offender or a person responsible for the care of the alleged
victim or other minor prevents access to the victim or other minor by the local welfare
agency, the juvenile court may order the parents, legal custodian, or guardian to produce
the alleged victim or other minor for questioning by the local welfare agency or the local
law enforcement agency outside the presence of the alleged offender or any person
responsible for the child's care at reasonable places and times as specified by court order.

(f) Before making an order under paragraph (e), the court shall issue an order to
show cause, either upon its own motion or upon a verified petition, specifying the basis for
the requested interviews and fixing the time and place of the hearing. The order to show
cause shall be served personally and shall be heard in the same manner as provided in
other cases in the juvenile court. The court shall consider the need for appointment of a
guardian ad litem to protect the best interests of the child. If appointed, the guardian ad
litem shall be present at the hearing on the order to show cause.

(g) The commissioner of human services, the ombudsman for mental health and
developmental disabilities, the local welfare agencies responsible for investigating reports,
the commissioner of education, and the local law enforcement agencies have the right to
enter facilities as defined in subdivision 2 and to inspect and copy the facility's records,
including medical records, as part of the investigation. Notwithstanding the provisions of
chapter 13, they also have the right to inform the facility under investigation that they are
conducting an investigation, to disclose to the facility the names of the individuals under
investigation for abusing or neglecting a child, and to provide the facility with a copy of
the report and the investigative findings.

(h) The local welfare agency responsible for conducting a family assessment or
investigation shall collect available and relevant information to determine child safety,
risk of subsequent child maltreatment, and family strengths and needs and share not public
information with an Indian's tribal social services agency without violating any law of the
state that may otherwise impose duties of confidentiality on the local welfare agency in
order to implement the tribal state agreement. The local welfare agency or the agency
responsible for new text begin assessing or new text end investigating the report shall collect available and relevant
information to ascertain whether maltreatment occurred and whether protective services
are needed. Information collected includes, when relevant, information with regard to
the person reporting the alleged maltreatment, including the nature of the reporter's
relationship to the child and to the alleged offender, and the basis of the reporter's
knowledge for the report; the child allegedly being maltreated; the alleged offender; the
child's caretaker; and other collateral sources having relevant information related to the
alleged maltreatment. The local welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing
or investigating the report may make a determination of no maltreatment early in an
assessment new text begin or investigation new text end , and close the case and retain immunity, if the collected
information shows no basis for a full assessment or investigation.

Information relevant to the assessment or investigation must be deleted text begin asked for deleted text end new text begin requested new text end ,
and deleted text begin may deleted text end new text begin shall new text end include new text begin , to the extent relevant and reasonably available new text end :

(1) the child's sex and age, prior reports of maltreatment, information relating to
developmental functioning, credibility of the child's statement new text begin in light of the presence or
absence of corroborating evidence new text end , and whether the information provided under this
clause is consistent with other information collected during the course of the assessment
or investigation;

(2) the alleged offender's age, a record check for prior reports of maltreatment, and
criminal charges and convictions. The local welfare agency or the agency responsible for
assessing or investigating the report must provide the alleged offender with an opportunity
to make a statement. The alleged offender may submit supporting documentation relevant
to the assessment or investigation;

(3) collateral source information regarding the alleged maltreatment and care of the
child. Collateral information includes, when relevant: (i) a medical examination of the
child; (ii) prior medical records relating to the alleged maltreatment or the care of the
child maintained by any facility, clinic, or health care professional and an interview with
the treating professionals; and (iii) interviews with the child's caretakers, including the
child's parent, guardian, foster parent, child care provider, teachers, counselors, family
members, relatives, and other persons who may have knowledge regarding the alleged
maltreatment and the care of the child; and

(4) information on the existence of domestic abuse and violence in the home of
the child, new text begin the status of any domestic relationship between the reporter and the alleged
offender, including whether a dissolution proceeding is pending or contemplated if they
are married, new text end and substance abuse.

Nothing in this paragraph precludes the local welfare agency, the local law
enforcement agency, or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report
from collecting other relevant information necessary to conduct the assessment or
investigation. Notwithstanding sections 13.384 or 144.291 to 144.298, the local welfare
agency has access to medical data and records for purposes of clause (3). Notwithstanding
the data's classification in the possession of any other agency, data acquired by the
local welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report
during the course of the assessment or investigation are private data on individuals and
must be maintained in accordance with subdivision 11. Data of the commissioner of
education collected or maintained during and for the purpose of an investigation of
alleged maltreatment in a school are governed by this section, notwithstanding the data's
classification as educational, licensing, or personnel data under chapter 13.

In conducting an assessment or investigation involving a school facility as defined
in subdivision 2, paragraph (i), the commissioner of education shall collect investigative
reports and data that are relevant to a report of maltreatment and are from local law
enforcement and the school facility.

(i) Upon receipt of a report, the local welfare agency shall conduct a face-to-face
contact with the child reported to be maltreated and with the child's primary caregiver
sufficient to complete a safety assessment and ensure the immediate safety of the child.
The face-to-face contact with the child and primary caregiver shall occur immediately
if substantial child endangerment is alleged and within five calendar days for all other
reports. If the alleged offender was not already interviewed as the primary caregiver, the
local welfare agency shall also conduct a face-to-face interview with the alleged offender
in the early stages of the assessment or investigation. At the initial contact, the local child
welfare agency or the agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report must
inform the alleged offender of the complaints or allegations made against the individual in
a manner consistent with laws protecting the rights of the person who made the report.
The interview with the alleged offender may be postponed if it would jeopardize an active
law enforcement investigation.

(j) When conducting an new text begin assessment or new text end investigation, the local welfare agency shall
use a question and answer interviewing format with questioning as nondirective as possible
to elicit spontaneous responses. For investigations only, the following interviewing
methods and procedures must be used whenever possible when collecting information:

(1) audio recordings of all interviews with witnesses and collateral sources; and

(2) in cases of alleged sexual abuse, audio-video recordings of each interview with
the alleged victim and child witnesses.

(k) In conducting an assessment or investigation involving a school facility as
defined in subdivision 2, paragraph (i), the commissioner of education shall collect
available and relevant information and use the procedures in paragraphs (i), (k), and
subdivision 3d, except that the requirement for face-to-face observation of the child
and face-to-face interview of the alleged offender is to occur in the initial stages of the
assessment or investigation provided that the commissioner may also base the assessment
or investigation on investigative reports and data received from the school facility and
local law enforcement, to the extent those investigations satisfy the requirements of
paragraphs (i) and (k), and subdivision 3d.

new text begin (l) In conducting an investigation involving allegations by a parent of sexual abuse
of a child committed by the other parent, the local welfare agency shall assess the child's
general and sexual behavior and emotional adjustment, the current behavior of the alleged
abuser and the presence of empirically validated risk factors for sexual abuse, and the
relevant behavior and background of the parent who is alleging sexual abuse. To the
extent appropriate, the local welfare agency shall assess other children in the family.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 626.556, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

Subd. 14.

Conflict of interest.

(a) A potential conflict of interest related to assisting
in an assessment new text begin or investigation new text end under this section resulting in a direct or shared financial
interest with a child abuse and neglect treatment provider or resulting from a personal or
family relationship with a party in the new text begin assessment or new text end investigation must be considered by
the local welfare agency in an effort to prevent unethical relationships.

(b) A person who conducts new text begin or assists in new text end an assessment new text begin or investigation new text end under this
section or section 626.5561 may not have:

(1) any direct or shared financial interest or referral relationship resulting in a direct
shared financial gain with a child abuse and neglect treatment provider; or

(2) a personal or family relationship with a party in the new text begin assessment or new text end investigation.

If an independent assessor is not available, the person responsible for making the
determination under this section may use the services of an assessor with a financial
interest, referral, or personal or family relationship. new text begin All parties, including the court, must
be notified in writing of the conflict, its nature, and the measures taken by the local welfare
agency to prevent the conflict relationship from affecting the assessment or investigation.
new text end

Sec. 6. new text begin DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY SCREENING TOOLS.
new text end

new text begin The state court administrator, in conjunction with the executive director of the
state guardian ad litem program, shall appoint a work group to develop questionnaires
to be used in the initial screenings of family members under Minnesota Statutes, section
518.165, subdivision 2b. A separate questionnaire must be developed for screening the
alleged victim, the parent alleged to have committed the sexual abuse, and the parent who
is alleging the abuse. The questionnaires must be usable by a nonclinician and yield, to the
extent feasible, an empirical result that quantifies, within appropriate ranges, the extent to
which the alleged victim's behavior is consistent with empirically validated conduct of
children who have been sexually abused; the extent to which the present and past behavior
of the parent alleged to have committed the sexual abuse is consistent with empirically
validated risk factors for sexually abusive behavior; and the extent to which the behavior
and background of the parent alleging the abuse is indicative of conduct associated with
hypervigilance, overprotectiveness, or other character traits or syndromes that may lead
to an erroneous belief as to the presence of sexually abusive behavior. The work group
must include a representative from the state guardian ad litem program, district court,
Department of Human Services, county family court services, a county attorney's office,
the Midwest Children's Resource Center, a private practitioner specializing in evaluating
children who have been sexually abused, and a private practitioner specializing in
evaluating and treating persons who have committed intrafamilial child sexual abuse. The
work group shall submit the proposed questionnaires to the state court administrator by
June 1, 2010.
new text end