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Bill 4668

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                      4668
Type of Legislation:              General Bill GB
Introducing Body:                 House
Introduced Date:                  20020206
Primary Sponsor:                  Allison
All Sponsors:                     Allison, Lourie and Carnell
Drafted Document Number:          l:\council\bills\nbd\11170ac02.doc
Residing Body:                    House
Current Committee:                Judiciary Committee 25 HJ
Subject:                          Nonprofit children's advocacy centers to 
                                  be established throughout the State


                        History

Body    Date      Action Description                     Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  ______________________________________ _______ ____________
House   20020206  Introduced, read first time,           25 HJ
                  referred to Committee


              Versions of This Bill

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 20-7-495 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NONPROFIT CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

Whereas, the General Assembly finds that the establishment of children's advocacy centers throughout the State is desirable to promote a multi-disciplinary, coordinated approach to handling child sexual abuse cases and child physical abuse cases, thus minimizing the stress created for the child by the investigation, treatment, and prosecution of these child abuse cases.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

    "Section 20- 7-495    (A)    'Children's advocacy center' means an organization that assists in the coordination of the investigation of child sexual abuse and child physical abuse by providing:

        (1)    a neutral, child-friendly facility for forensic interviews;

        (2)    the coordination of services for children reported to have been abused; and

        (3)    services including, but not limited to, staffing of multi-disciplinary teams, forensic medical examinations, mental health and related support services, court advocacy, consultation, and training.

    (B)(1)    Children's advocacy centers, which may be nonprofit corporations, should seek to establish memoranda of agreements with governmental entities charged with the investigation, treatment, and prosecution of child abuse. Fully operational centers should function in a manner consistent with standards of the National Children's Alliance.

        (2)    Children's advocacy center records are confidential, except that relevant information may be released to investigatory and prosecuting agencies. In all other circumstances, information may be released only upon the written consent of a child's custodial parent or guardian or upon subpoena or court order.

        (3)    Staff and volunteers of a children's advocacy center who act in good faith within the scope of their responsibilities and who are not guilty of gross negligence are immune from liability.

    (C)    The South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers shall facilitate exchange of information and assistance among centers, provide training opportunities, and shall assist in the development of centers."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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