reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
LA Chil Code art. 507 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 507. Purpose

The purpose of this Part is to protect children whose physical or mental health and welfare is substantially at risk of harm by sexual abuse, other physical abuse, neglect, or exploitation and who may be further threatened by the conduct of others, by providing a formal, comprehensive, integrated, multidisciplinary response to the investigation and disposition of cases of child abuse; by expediting and improving the validation or invalidation of such allegations for the benefit of the child, his family and any accused perpetrator; by encouraging the use of collaborative decisionmaking and case management thereby reducing to a minimum the number of times a child victim is questioned and examined, thus preventing further trauma to the child; by coordinating a therapeutic services program thereby providing safety and treatment for a child victim and his family; by developing communication and case coordination among community professionals and agencies who are involved in child protection; by collecting data needed to continually improve cooperative interagency investigations; and, by maintaining the confidentiality of agency records, to ensure the protection of the privacy of the child, his family and any accused perpetrator. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 508 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 508. Multidisciplinary investigative team; scope of responsibility

A. Not later than February 15, 2004, a multidisciplinary investigative team shall be established for the investigation of child abuse within each judicial district. B. The team shall be responsible for the investigation of all child sexual abuse cases, abuse and neglect cases involving allegations of the commission of a felony-grade crime against a child, and any other case involving trauma to a child, in accordance with their agency scope of services, which is referred to the team by any member and accepted by the team for investigation in compliance with the interagency protocols developed and instituted in accordance with Articles 509 and 510 of this Part. C. Each team shall develop and institute interagency protocols in accordance with Articles 509 and 510 of this Part. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 509 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 509. Development of interagency protocols; drafting committee membership; meetings; compliance deadline

A. In each judicial district, the district attorney or his designee shall establish a child abuse protocol committee and convene its meetings. B. At a minimum, each committee shall include the following members: (1) A representative of the office of children and family services, Department of Children and Family Services. (2) The district attorney or his designee. (3) The coroner or his designee who has responsibility in the district for the investigation of child abuse cases or expertise in the evaluation of child victims. (4) A representative of the sheriff and of any other law enforcement agency having responsibility in the district for the investigation of child abuse. (5) A licensed mental health professional who is experienced in the evaluation of child victims. (6) A licensed medical professional who is experienced in the evaluation of child victims. (7) A representative of a child advocacy center that is serving the district or if there is no child advocacy center, a child advocate who is appointed by the juvenile court, or if there is no juvenile court, a child advocate appointed by the division of the district court that hears juvenile cases. (8) A representative of any other community agency which in the opinion of other team members would contribute to the development of comprehensive and integrated protocols. C. The committee shall confect protocols in accordance with Article 510 of this Part and shall meet as often as needed to complete that task no later than August 15, 2006. Thereafter, the committee shall be convened upon the request of any team member in order to consider any proposed modifications to the existing protocols. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 510 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 510. Contents of protocols; formal requirements

A. The interagency protocols for the multidisciplinary investigation of allegations of child abuse shall include but not be limited to agreement about the following issues: (1) Identification of cases in which joint investigations are necessary or appropriate in accordance with Article 508 of this Part. (2) Identification of community agencies and professions that should be permanent or ad hoc members of the multidisciplinary investigative team in accordance with Article 512 of this Part. (3) Procedures for conducting joint investigations in emergency and nonemergency cases, including notification of team members about an investigation and a description of each agency's role and responsibilities. (4) Procedures for ensuring that interviews of the child victim are conducted in a neutral, legally sound manner and by a qualified forensic interviewer, except when the circumstances of the particular case justify the assignment of another interviewer. (5) Procedures for reducing the risk of harm to child victims, including ensuring that the child is in a safe surrounding, and when necessary the removal of the alleged perpetrator. (6) Procedures for reducing the number of interviews of the child victim and the use, if available, of a child advocacy center. (7) Procedures for developing a service and treatment plan for the child victim and his family. (8) Procedures for respecting the confidentiality of agency records and information, and a policy identifying the conditions for the sharing of information. (9) Administrative procedures, including the scheduling of team meetings and the designation of leadership roles. (10) Any other procedures to avoid duplication of fact-finding efforts and interviews of the child. B. The interagency protocols shall be in writing and signed by each member of the committee and by any other person with authority to bind a represented organization. A copy shall be filed with the juvenile courts, or if there is no juvenile court, with the division of the district court that hears juvenile cases, and also furnished to every agency involved in the investigation of child abuse or treatment of child victims. C. No agreement made pursuant to this Article shall relieve any public agency of any obligation or responsibility otherwise imposed upon it by law, except that actual and timely performance by an intergovernmental legal entity created to perform joint intergovernmental functions by an agreement made under this Article may be offered in satisfaction of the obligation or responsibility. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 511 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 511. Forensic interviewer; qualifications

A. In order to serve as a qualified forensic interviewer of children, a person shall: (1) Possess a relevant educational or experiential background, preferably a college degree, or work experience in a field related to sociology, social work, education, criminal justice, nursing, psychology, counseling, or a similarly applied human services specialty. (2) Complete a minimum of twenty-five hours of clinical training in interviewing traumatized children. (3) Complete a minimum of eight hours of interviewing under the supervision of a qualified forensic interviewer of children. (4) Demonstrate knowledge of investigations of child abuse and neglect, as well as knowledge of child development through coursework, professional training or experience. (5) Maintain membership in appropriate national professional organizations that report research findings and offer opportunities for other continuing education for the enhancement of its members' knowledge and specialization. B. In order to remain qualified, a forensic interviewer of children shall complete a minimum of twenty hours of additional clinical training every two years. C. A forensic interviewer of children shall furnish satisfactory evidence of his qualifications. D. The cost of employing and training the forensic interviewer is to be decided on in the interagency protocols developed and instituted in accordance with Articles 509 and 510 of this Part, and is not the responsibility of member agencies unless agreed to in the protocols. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 512 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 512. Composition of the multidisciplinary investigative team

A. The permanent members of the multidisciplinary investigative team shall include governmental entities and other professions with an expertise in evaluating child abuse. B. Governmental entities that have responsibilities imposed by law for the investigation of child abuse include: (1) The office of children and family services, Department of Children and Family Services. (2) The district attorney. (3) The sheriff and any other law enforcement agency having responsibility in the district for the investigation of child abuse. (4) The coroner or his designee who is a licensed medical professional with experience in the investigation of child abuse or the evaluation of child victims. C. Professionals whose expertise can contribute significantly to the investigation and evaluation of allegations of child abuse or to the provision of services to child victims and their families include: (1) A licensed medical professional with experience in the investigation of child abuse or the evaluation of child victims. (2) A licensed mental health professional with experience in the investigation of child abuse or the evaluation of child victims. (3) A representative of a child advocacy center that serves the judicial district or if no center exists within the district, a child advocate who is appointed by the juvenile court, or if there is no juvenile court, the division of the district court that hears juvenile cases, to ensure that the best interests of children remain at the forefront of planning and decisionmaking. (4) A representative of any community agency or other professional who is knowledgeable about child abuse and who might contribute to the decisionmaking process involving the investigation, evaluation or treatment of child victims of abuse. (5) The victim assistance coordinator of the judicial district. D. As needed for a particular child abuse case, the team may include an ad hoc representative of any other community agency or a professional who can contribute to the investigation of the specific case or types of cases. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 513 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 513. Confidentiality policy

A multidisciplinary team may obtain all information necessary to perform its official duties from any public agency, department or other organization, including material otherwise made confidential or privileged. Any confidential or privileged material or verbal information obtained by a team member during an investigation shall be disclosed only as necessary to other team members, and shall not be disclosed to any agency or individual not represented on the multidisciplinary team unless otherwise required by law. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 514 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 514. Immunity from civil or criminal liability

A. In the consideration of any child abuse case, a member of a multidisciplinary team shall not be liable for civil damages while acting in the official scope of his duties if the member, in good faith, refers a report of alleged child abuse for investigation, conducts an investigation, makes an investigative judgment or disposition, or releases or uses information for the purpose of protecting a child. B. The limitation of civil liability in Paragraph A of this Article does not apply if a multidisciplinary team member acts with gross negligence or in bad faith. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 521 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 521. Purpose

The purpose of this Chapter is to protect children whose physical or mental health and welfare is substantially at risk of harm by sexual abuse, other physical abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and who may be further threatened by the conduct of others, by providing for interprofessional and interagency cooperation in the investigation of such allegations; by facilitating the exchange of information among agencies, serving as a meeting place of multidisciplinary investigative teams, and as a place of referral for interviewing child victims; by using a multidisciplinary team and case management approach thereby reducing to a minimum the number of times a child victim is questioned, thus reducing further trauma to the child; by providing for the training and continuing education of skilled professional interviewers of child victims; by collecting data, thereby improving cooperative interagency investigations; by providing the services needed by child victims and their families thereby assisting them in their recovery process; by maintaining the confidentiality of center records, in order to ensure the protection of the privacy of the child, his family, and any accused perpetrator; and by developing community outreach programs, thereby enhancing the community's understanding of child abuse. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 522 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 522. Applicability

A. A child advocacy center is established and becomes subject to the provisions of this Chapter when all of the following have been accomplished: (1) There is a multidisciplinary investigative team that is operational within the judicial district and in full compliance with the requirements of Part II of Chapter 1 of this Title. (2) An agreement to use the services of a child advocacy center has been executed by representatives of the district attorney, the office of children and family services, Department of Children and Family Services, the coroner, the sheriff, and any other law enforcement agency having responsibility in the district for the investigation of child abuse. (3) A nonprofit corporation certificate of incorporation has been issued or an agreement to create and assume responsibility for a child advocacy center has been executed by an existing nonprofit corporation or governmental unit. B. A child advocacy center established before August 15, 2003, has six months from that date in which to revise, if necessary, its policies and procedures to comply with the requirements of this Chapter. C. A child advocacy center may be established to serve the children and families of one or more judicial districts or parts thereof. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 523 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 523. Governance of child advocacy centers; board of directors; bylaws; staff

A. A child advocacy center established after August 15, 2003, as an independent nonprofit corporation shall be governed by a child advocacy board of directors, hereafter referred to as a "board", broadly representative of the community and organized in conformity with this Article. If a child advocacy center is a nonprofit corporation established before August 15, 2003, the corporation has until November 13, 2003, in which to revise, if necessary, its policies and procedures to comply with the requirements of this Chapter. All other Child Advocacy Centers under an umbrella of nonprofit corporations shall organize advisory councils or other groups that are broadly representative of the community and organized as nearly practicable in accordance with this Article to advise the corporation. B. By a majority vote, the board shall adopt a written set of bylaws, multidisciplinary team investigative protocols in accordance with Articles 510 and 512 of this Title, interviewing guidelines and other written policies required by Article 524 of this Title, and a confidentiality policy in accordance with Article 525 of this Title. The board may add other bylaws or protocols as needed from time to time. C. By a majority vote, the board shall also adopt necessary administrative policies and procedures, including provision for employees' job descriptions, supervision, salary, insurance and other benefits, liability coverage, and a policy of nondiscrimination in hiring or service. D.(1) The board shall employ a director and such additional administrative and service staff as needed to offer services. (2) The board shall also cause the sheriff and the Department of Children and Family Services to request that the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information conduct an examination of the criminal history record and identification files of the bureau for any applicant seeking employment at a child advocacy center. The sheriff and the department shall provide a written certificate indicating whether any information was discovered or that no information was found, all in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the department. (3) The board, to the fullest extent possible, shall strive to hire employees who reflect the diversity of the served community. E. The board shall have authority to accept any funds appropriated by the state or by any local governmental unit, any funds or grants allocated to it by any agency of the state or local governmental unit, and by any private donations. The board shall also have authority to apply for, receive, and administer any federal or state grants in its own name. F. Unless specifically provided for by this Article or by the provisions of the bylaws, the board and the operations of a child advocacy center shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter 2 of Title 12 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 524 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 524. Responsibilities

A. Every child advocacy center shall seek full membership in the National Children's Alliance and remain in full compliance with its standards and shall be accredited and periodically reaccredited as required by the standards of the National Children's Alliance. The cost of application for membership, accreditation and reaccreditation by the National Children's Alliance will be the sole responsibility of the child advocacy center seeking such membership, accreditation or reaccreditation. B. A child advocacy center shall be governed and managed so as to provide at a minimum, for the following: (1) A comfortable, private setting that is both physically and psychologically safe for children. (2) Sound program, fiscal and administrative practices. (3) Policies, practices and procedures that are culturally competent. Cultural competency is defined as the capacity to function in more than one culture, requiring the ability to appreciate, understand and interact with members of diverse populations within the local community. (4) A multidisciplinary investigative team in accordance with Article 522 of this Title that is diverse and expert. (5) A written set of interagency protocols for an interdisciplinary and coordinated approach to the investigation of child abuse in accordance with Articles 510, 512, and 522 of this Title. (6) Compliance with Article 511 of this Title and other policies, practices and procedures that require forensic interviews to be conducted in a manner which is neutral and fact-finding and coordinated to avoid duplicative interviewing. (7) Specialized medical evaluations and treatment as part of the multidisciplinary investigative team response, either at the center or through coordination with and referral to other appropriate treatment providers. (8) Specialized mental health services as part of the multidisciplinary investigative team response, either at the center or through coordination with and referral to other appropriate treatment providers. (9) Victim support and advocacy as part of the multidisciplinary investigative team response, either at the center or through coordination with and referral to other appropriate treatment providers. (10) A routine interdisciplinary case review process for purposes of decisionmaking, problem solving, systems coordination and information sharing concerning case status and services needed by the child and family. (11) A comprehensive tracking system for monitoring case process and tracking case outcomes for team members consistent with ensuring confidentiality in accordance with Article 525 of this Title. (12) A process for evaluating its effectiveness and its operations. C. In addition, a center may provide space for medical evaluation, therapeutic intervention, support services for child abuse victims and their families, and community education about child abuse. It may also provide specialized interdisciplinary training for professionals involved with child abuse victims and their families and provide any other assistance or service approved by the center's board. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 525 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 525. Confidentiality policy; exceptions

A. The files, reports, records, communications, working papers or videotaped interviews used or developed in providing services under this Chapter are confidential and not subject to the public records, R.S. 44:1 et seq. Disclosure may only be made to a member of a multidisciplinary investigative team who is engaged in the investigation of a particular case and who needs access to the information in order to perform his duties for purposes consistent with this Chapter. B. Any public or private department, agency or organization may share with a child advocacy center information that is made confidential by law when it is needed to provide or secure services under this Chapter. Confidential information shared with or provided to a center remains the property of the providing organization. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 526 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 526. Immunity from civil or criminal liability

A. A board member, staff member, or volunteer of a child advocacy center shall not be liable for civil damages, while acting in the official scope of his or her duties, if the person in good faith makes a recommendation, gives an opinion or releases or uses information for the purpose of protecting a child. B. The limitation of civil liability in Paragraph A of this Article does not apply if a board member, staff member, or volunteer of a child advocacy center acts with gross negligence or in bad faith. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 531 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 531. Children's Advocacy Clearinghouse; establishment; purpose

The legislature finds that the establishment of the Children's Advocacy Clearinghouse by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice for the processing of child sex abuse cases among the various responsible agencies is in the best interest of the children of Louisiana. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 532 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 532. Creation

The Children's Advocacy Clearinghouse is hereby created and established under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice in the office of the governor. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.
LA Chil Code art. 533 (2021)
2021 Louisiana Laws|Children's Code|Art. 533. Duties of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice

The Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice shall: (1) Assist local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies in the development of programs, resources, or expertise which promote the detection and prosecution of offenders committing crimes of sexual abuse against children. (2) Provide information relative to child sexual abuse, child sexual abuse programs, including programs dealing with prevention, detection, and treatment of sex abuse to various units of state and local government and other interested parties. (3) Assist units of local government and qualified private nonprofit institutions in identifying sources of funding to begin the operation of coordinated children's advocacy programs in the state. Acts 2003, No. 749, §1.