SB 5461, sponsored by Sen. Annette Cleveland (D–Vancouver), updates the multidisciplinary approach to child abuse investigations. The bill requires:
- County protocols must address circumstances pertaining to the investigation of online sexual exploitation and commercial sexual exploitation of children. Updated protocols are due July 1, 2021.
- Multidisciplinary child protection teams (MDTs) are established to ensure the protection and well-being of the child; to advance and coordinate the prompt investigation of suspected cases of child abuse or neglect; and to reduce the trauma to any child victim.
- Prosecutors must convene regular MDT meetings, which should be at least monthly, unless the needs of the MDT dictate otherwise. A team may meet, review records, and conduct business in the absence of one or more team members. Meetings are closed to the public and are not subject to the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act.
- Information and records received by, communicated to, or created by team members are private and confidential and are protected from discovery and disclosure by all applicable statutory and common law protections. Existing civil and criminal penalties apply to the inappropriate disclosure of information.
- Under certain circumstances, a team member is immune from any civil liability arising out of any good faith act relevant to participation on the MDT. In a proceeding regarding immunity from liability, there is a rebuttable presumption of good faith.
SB 5461 passed the Senate unanimously, and passed out of its House policy committee. The bill is now in the House Rules Committee awaiting floor action.