2005 Arizona Revised Statutes - Revised Statutes §8-817  Initial screening and safety assessment and investigation protocols; investigations

A. The department shall develop initial screening and safety assessment protocols in consultation with the attorney general and statewide with county attorneys, chiefs of police, sheriffs, medical experts, victims' rights advocates, domestic violence victim advocates and mandatory reporters. Any initial screening and safety assessment tools shall be based on sound methodology and shall ensure valid and reliable responses. The department shall establish written policies and procedures to implement the use of the initial screening and safety assessment protocols.

B. In each county, the county attorney, the sheriff, the chief law enforcement officer for each municipality in the county and the department shall develop and implement protocols for cooperation in investigations of allegations involving extremely serious conduct. The protocols shall include:

1. The process for notification of receipt of extremely serious conduct allegations.

2. The standards for interdisciplinary investigations of specific types of abuse and neglect, including timely forensic medical evaluations.

3. The standards for interdisciplinary investigations involving native American children in compliance with the Indian child welfare act.

4. Procedures for sharing information.

5. Procedures for coordination of screening, response and investigation with other involved professional disciplines and notification of case status.

6. The training required for the involved child protective service workers, law enforcement officers and prosecutors to execute the investigation protocols, including forensic interviewing skills.

7. The process to ensure review of and compliance with the investigation protocols and the reporting of activity under the protocols.

8. Procedures for an annual report to be transmitted within forty-five days after the end of each fiscal year to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate.

9. Procedures for dispute resolution.

C. The department, the appropriate county attorney and the appropriate law enforcement agency shall cooperate in the investigation of every extremely serious conduct allegation in accordance with the investigation protocols established pursuant to this section.