AZ SB1426

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes Section 8-817 to add procedures for advocacy centers in child abuse investigations, defining an advocacy center as a child-focused facility providing forensic interview locations and multidisciplinary coordination.

Requires advocacy centers to coordinate investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse while providing access to medical evaluations, advocacy, therapy, and multidisciplinary team case reviews.

Mandates county attorneys, law enforcement, and the Department of Child Safety to develop and implement joint investigation protocols for criminal conduct allegations involving children, including training standards and annual reporting requirements.

Establishes that each agency must independently submit annual reports to the governor, legislature, and secretary of state detailing investigations conducted, prosecutions pursued, and reasons for joint investigations not occurring.

Requires protocols to include forensic medical evaluation standards, information sharing procedures, interdisciplinary investigation standards for specific abuse types, and dispute resolution procedures.