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.