CT HB07112

Repeals and replaces Connecticut General Statutes Section 17a-106a to establish definitions and requirements for children's advocacy centers accredited or granted status by the National Children's Alliance.

Expands the purposes of multidisciplinary teams to include six specific functions: reviewing cases, coordinating intervention and prevention of child abuse/neglect/trafficking, advancing prompt investigation, reducing trauma to alleged victims, and ensuring treatment and protection of affected children and families.

Adds forensic interviewers and victim advocates as required team members and specifies that children's advocacy centers must provide safe settings, forensic interviews, medical evaluations, mental health services, case review, and tracking systems.

Grants multidisciplinary teams access to confidential records from the Department of Children and Families, medical facilities, and health professionals upon written certification that records are necessary for investigating child abuse or neglect.

Establishes confidentiality protections by prohibiting disclosure of team meeting information without participant consent or court order and clarifying that multidisciplinary teams are not public agencies subject to Freedom of Information Act requirements.