H-8152

   Amend House File 2703 as follows:
   1.  By striking everything after the enacting clause and inserting: 
   <Section 1.  Section 232.68, subsection 3, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  (1)  “Interview” means either of the following: 
   (a)  A verbal exchange between the child protection worker and the child for the purpose of developing information necessary to protect the child.
   (b)  A verbal exchange between a forensic interviewer at a child protection center or a child advocacy center and the child for the purpose of developing information necessary to protect the child.
   (2)  A child protection worker or a forensic interviewer at a child protection center or a child advocacy center is not precluded from recording visible evidence of abuse.
   Sec. 2.  Section 232.71B, subsection 3, paragraph b, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   b.  If a report is determined not to constitute a child abuse allegation or if the child abuse report is accepted but assessed under the family assessment, but a criminal act harming a child is alleged, the department shall immediately refer the matter to the appropriate law enforcement agency.  If a child abuse allegation is referred to law enforcement and the child’s parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian does not give permission to enter the child’s home, to interview the child, or to observe the child, the court or district court upon a showing of probable cause may authorize entry into the child’s home, an interview with the child, or observation of the child.>

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STONE of Winnebago