HB31 Summary

• Allows statements made by children under age 12 during forensic interviews to be admitted as evidence in juvenile dependency hearings when statements pertain to allegations of abuse against the child.

• Requires individuals conducting forensic interviews to complete specialized training including minimum 32 hours of instruction in forensic interviewing, evidence-supported protocols, child development, and standardized review processes.

• Defines "forensic interview" as a developmentally sensitive and legally sound method of gathering factual information regarding abuse allegations, conducted by a neutral professional using research-informed techniques.

• Permits admission of such statements only if made to a social worker, child sexual abuse therapist, counselor, licensed psychologist, physician, or school teacher, and only if the juvenile court finds sufficient indicia of reliability based on the child's age, maturity, nature of abuse, and relationship to the offender.

• Applies the child hearsay exception to all dependency hearings including 72-hour hearings, adjudicatory hearings, and dispositional hearings, but excludes criminal proceedings.