GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 358

Short Title:  Pros. Child Prot. Initiatives.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Easterling, Diamont, Luebke; Colton, Cunningham, Fitch, Gottovi, Jarrell, Jeffus, Lemmond, Redwine, Smith, and G. Thompson..
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Referred to:  Courts and Justice.
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February 25, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO IMPLEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CHILD FATALITY TASK FORCE TO ENCOURAGE PROSECUTORIAL CHILD PROTECTION INITIATIVES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Effective October 1, 1993, the Administrative Officer of the Courts shall ensure that the district attorney in each prosecutorial district develop and disseminate information about provisions for "child friendly" courtroom environments and preparation of child witnesses and for the use of videotaped and closed circuit testimony in the courtroom.
Sec. 2. The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys is encouraged to determine interest in setting up a special section for child abuse prosecutors and to set up such a section if it determines there is sufficient interest.
Sec. 3.  The Director of the State Bureau of Investigation and the Administrative Officer of the Courts shall ensure that the following protocols are developed and disseminated, with training, by October 1, 1993:
(1)	For law enforcement agencies, protocols for conducting child abuse and neglect investigations;
(2)	For district attorneys, protocols for criminal investigations of child abuse and neglect; and
(3)	For local child abuse and neglect criminal investigation teams, protocols for operating policies and information sharing.
Sec. 4.  The Director of the State Bureau of Investigation and the Administrative Officer of the Courts shall ensure the following job descriptions and working procedures are developed and disseminated, with training, by October 1, 1993:
(1)	For law enforcement agencies, job descriptions and work procedures for law enforcement officers specializing in child abuse and neglect criminal investigations; and
(2)	For district attorneys, job descriptions and work procedures for an assistant district attorney who handles all child abuse and neglect cases.
Sec. 5.  Nothing in this act obligates the General Assembly to appropriate any funds to implement this act.
Sec. 6.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1993.