2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 15:556 — Duties of the task force

§556.  Duties of the task force

The task force shall examine issues relating to forensic examination of sexual assault victims and investigation of sexual assault cases, including but not limited to the following:

(1)  The task force shall review and analyze all applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and practices pertaining to all of the following:

(a)  What entities are performing and should perform forensic examinations of sexual assault victims.

(b)  What entities are financially responsible and should be financially responsible for the forensic evidence collection from the victim of a sexual assault.

(c)  Which entities are being billed for the forensic examinations and which entities should be billed for such examinations.

(d)  What evidence is collected from the victim, how is it preserved, how is it analyzed, and what are the best practices in these areas.

(e)  What standards are being followed in the investigation of sexual assault cases and what standards should be followed.

(f)  What training is provided and what training should be provided to law enforcement officers and staff of the Department of Social Services, office of community services, investigating sexual assault cases or cases of suspected sexual assault.

(g)  What criteria are used and what criteria should be used in designating cases as unfounded or in reclassifying cases involving completed or attempted illegal sexual activity.

(h)  The current reporting requirements and those recommended by the Department of Social Services, office of community services, regarding the number of allegations of sexual abuse or assault reported and investigated and the number of those which are validated or not validated.

(i)  Reports by teachers, ministers, and other mandatory reporters to the Department of Social Services, office of community services, and law enforcement agencies, standards for dual investigations and whether mandatory reporters should report to both law enforcement agencies and the Department of Social Services, office of community services.

(2)  The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the governor, the president of the Senate, and the speaker of the House of Representatives not later than December 31, 2006.

Acts 2004, No. 408, §1, eff. June 24, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 364, §1.

NOTE:  See Acts 2004, No. 408, §2, relative to termination.