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2019 SESSION

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HB 2597 Child abuse and neglect; victims of sex trafficking, etc.

Introduced by: Charniele L. Herring | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Child abuse and neglect report or complaint; victims of sex trafficking; taking child victim into custody. Requires a local department of social services to conduct a sex trafficking assessment upon receiving a complaint of suspected child abuse that is based upon information and allegations that a child is a victim of sex trafficking, provided that the local department has not determined that a separate investigation or family assessment is required. The bill also allows a child-protective services worker of a local department responding to such complaint to take the child victim into custody and allows the local department to maintain custody of the child for up to 72 hours without prior approval of a parent or guardian. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia State Crime Commission. This bill is identical to SB 1661.

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Child abuse and neglect report or complaint; victims of sex trafficking; taking child victim into custody. Provides that a valid report or complaint of child abuse or neglect where a local department of social services has evaluated the allegations and determined that the local department shall conduct a sex trafficking assessment may be established if the alleged victim has been identified as a victim of sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking and the abuser is the victim's parent, other caretaker, or any other person suspected to have caused such abuse and neglect. The bill requires the local department, when responding to such complaint, to perform a sex trafficking assessment. The bill also allows a child-protective services worker of a local department responding to such complaint to take the child victim into custody and allows the local department to maintain custody of the child for up to 72 hours without prior approval of a parent or guardian. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Virginia State Crime Commission.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Child abuse and neglect report or complaint; victims of sex trafficking; taking child victim into custody. Provides that a valid report or complaint of child abuse or neglect where a local department of social services has evaluated the allegations and determined that the local department shall conduct an investigation or family assessment may be established if the alleged victim has been identified as a victim of sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking and the abuser is the victim's parent, other caretaker, or any other person suspected to have caused such abuse and neglect. The bill requires the local department, when responding to such complaint, to perform a family assessment. The bill also allows a child-protective services worker of a local department responding to such complaint to take the child victim into custody and allows the local department to maintain custody of the child for up to 72 hours without prior approval of a parent or guardian. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia State Crime Commission.