CT HB05185

Requires investigators of child abuse and neglect to coordinate activities to minimize the number of interviews of any child and share information with other authorized investigators.

Mandates that reporters of child abuse or neglect provide investigators with all related information in their possession, except as prohibited by state or federal law.

Requires parental or guardian consent before interviewing a child, unless investigators have a documented compelling reason to believe consent would place the child at imminent risk of physical harm.

Specifies that interviews conducted without consent must be conducted in the presence of a disinterested adult, unless immediate access to the child is necessary to protect from imminent harm and no disinterested adult is available.

Defines "documented compelling reason" to include criminal convictions of persons allegedly responsible for abuse or neglect and previous allegations of abuse, neglect, or family violence relating to the child or household members.