HB3462 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 14938 KMF 20293 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB3462

Introduced 2/22/2021, by Rep. Fred Crespo

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

725 ILCS 115/3.5 new

Amends the Bill of Rights for Children. Provides that every child reported to the Department of Children and Family Services or law enforcement to be a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse whose case is accepted by either agency for investigation has the right to have that child's forensic interview conducted by a forensic interviewer from a children's advocacy center accredited according to the Children's Advocacy Center Act and serving the child's area, when such service is available. Provides that the right may be asserted by the child or the child's parent or guardian informing the investigating personnel at the Department of Children and Family Services or the law enforcement agency that the parent or guardian wants the child to have the child's interview conducted by the children's advocacy center.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning criminal law.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Bill of Rights for Children is amended by adding Section 3.5 as follows:

(725 ILCS 115/3.5 new)

Sec. 3.5. Right to forensic interview with children's advocacy center. Every child reported to the Department of Children and Family Services or law enforcement to be a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse whose case is accepted by either agency for investigation has the right to have that child's forensic interview conducted by a forensic interviewer from a children's advocacy center accredited according to the Children's Advocacy Center Act and serving the child's area, when such service is available. This right may be asserted by the child or the child's parent or guardian informing the investigating personnel at the Department of Children and Family Services or the law enforcement agency that the parent or guardian wants the child to have the child's interview conducted by the children's advocacy center.