Tennessee Laws

Tennessee Laws on Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Student Handout 37-1-601. Prevention of child sexual abuse deemed priority of state Comprehensive approach Purpose and construction of part. (a) The incidence of child sexual abuse has a tremendous impact on the victimized child, siblings, family structure, and inevitably on all citizens of this state, and has caused the general assembly to determine that the prevention of child sexual abuse shall be a priority of this state. To further this end, it is the intent of the general assembly that a comprehensive approach for the detection, intervention, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse be developed for the state and that this planned, comprehensive approach be used as a basis for funding. (b) The purpose of this part shall be the same as that of part 4 of this chapter, and, except as may be expressly herein provided, the provisions of this part shall not be construed as repealing any provisions of part 4 of this chapter or of any other statute, but shall be supplementary thereto and cumulative thereof. [Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 2; 1987, ch. 145, § 1.] 37-1-602. Definitions - Harm to child’s health or welfare. (a) For purposes of this part and §§ 8-7-109, 37-1-152, 37-1-403, 37-1-405, 37-1-406, 37-1-408, 37-1-413 and 49-7-117, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) “Child protection team” means the investigation team created by § 37-1-607; (2) (A) “Child sexual abuse” means the commission of any act involving the unlawful sexual abuse, molestation, fondling or carnal knowledge of a child under thirteen (13) years of age that prior to November 1, 1989, constituted the criminal offense of: Aggravated rape under § 39-2-603 [repealed]; Rape under § 39-2-604 [repealed]; Aggravated sexual battery under § 39-2-606 [repealed]; Sexual battery under § 39-2-607 [repealed]; Assault with intent to commit rape or attempt to commit rape or sexual battery under § 39-2608 [repealed]; (vi) Crimes against nature under § 39-2-612 [repealed]; (vii) Incest under § 39-4-306 [repealed]; (viii) Begetting child on wife’s sister under § 39-4-307 [repealed]; (ix) Use of minor for obscene purposes under § 39-6-1137 [repealed]; or (x) Promotion of performance including sexual conduct by minor under § 39-6-1138 [repealed]. (B) “Child sexual abuse” also means the commission of any act involving the unlawful sexual abuse, molestation, fondling or carnal knowledge of a child under thirteen (13) years of age that on or after November 1, 1989, constituted the criminal offense of: (i) Aggravated rape under § 39-13-502; (ii) Rape under § 39-13-503; (iii) Aggravated sexual battery under § 39-13-504; (iv) Sexual battery under § 39-13-505; (v) Criminal attempt as provided in § 39-12-101 for any of the offenses listed above; (vi) Incest under § 39-15-302; (vii) Sexual exploitation of a minor under § 39-17-1003; (viii) Aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor under § 39-17-1004; or (ix) Especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor under § 39-17-1005. (C) “Child sexual abuse” also means one (1) or more of the following acts: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) 112 Tennessee Laws on Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Student Handout (i) Any penetration, however slight, of the vagina or anal opening of one (1) person by the penis of another person, whether or not there is the emission of semen; (ii) Any contact between the genitals or anal opening of one (1) person and the mouth or tongue of another person; (iii) Any intrusion by one (1) person into the genitals or anal opening of another person, including the use of any object for this purpose, except that it shall not include acts intended for a valid medical purpose; (iv) The intentional touching of the genitals or intimate parts, including the breasts, genital area, groin, inner thighs, and buttocks, or the clothing covering them, of either the child or the perpetrator, except that it shall not include: (a) Acts which may reasonably be construed to be normal caretaker responsibilities, interactions with, or affection for a child; or (b) Acts intended for a valid medical purpose; (v) The intentional exposure of the perpetrator’s genitals in the presence of a child, or any other sexual act intentionally perpetrated in the presence of a child, if such exposure or sexual act is for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification, aggression, degradation, or other similar purpose; (vi) The sexual exploitation of a child, which includes allowing, encouraging, or forcing a child to: (a) Solicit for or engage in prostitution; or (b) Engage in an act prohibited by § 39-17-1003; (D) For the purposes of the reporting, investigation, and treatment provisions of §§ 37-1-603 - 37-1-615 “child sexual abuse” also means the commission of any act specified in subdivisions (a)(2)(A)-(C) against a child thirteen (13) years of age through seventeen (17) years of age if such act is committed against the child by a parent, guardian, relative, person residing in the child’s home, or other person responsible for the care and custody of the child; (3) “Child care agency” is as defined in §§ 71-3-501 and 37-5-501; (4) “Department” means the department of children’s services; (5) “Guardian ad litem” means a responsible adult who is appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child in a proceeding as provided for by law, who shall be a party to any judicial proceeding as a representative of the child, and who shall serve until discharged by the court; (6) “Institutional child sexual abuse” means situations of known or suspected child sexual abuse in which the person allegedly perpetrating the child sexual abuse is an employee of a public or private child care agency, public or private school, or any other person responsible for the child’s care; 212 Tennessee Laws on Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Student Handout (7) “Mental injury” means an injury to the intellectual or psychological capacity of a child as evidenced by a discernible and substantial impairment in the child’s ability to function within the child’s normal range of performance and behavior, with due regard to the child’s culture; and (8) “Other person responsible for a child’s care or welfare” includes, but is not limited to, the child’s legal guardian, legal custodian, or foster parent; an employee of a public or private child care agency, public or private school; or any other person legally responsible for the child’s welfare in a residential setting. (b) Harm to a child’s health or welfare can occur when the parent or other person responsible for the child’s welfare: (1) Commits, or allows to be committed, child sexual abuse as defined in subdivisions (a)(2)(A)(C); or (2) Exploits a child under eighteen (18) years of age, or allows such child to be exploited, as provided in §§ 39-17-1003 39-17-1005. [Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 3; 1988, ch. 953, § 12; 1996, ch. 1079, § 73; 2000, ch. 981, §§ 51, 55. 37-1-603. Comprehensive state plan. (a) The department shall develop a state plan which encompasses and complies with the scope of all provisions of this part for the detection, intervention, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. The department of education and the state board of education shall participate and fully cooperate in the development of the state plan. Furthermore, appropriate state and local agencies and organizations shall be provided an opportunity to participate in the development of the state plan. Appropriate groups and organizations shall include, but not be limited to, community mental health centers; the juvenile courts; the school boards of the local school districts; private or public organizations or programs with recognized expertise in working with children who are sexually abused, physically abused, emotionally abused, or neglected and with expertise in working with the families of such children; private or public programs or organizations with expertise in maternal and infant health care; multi-disciplinary child protection teams; child care centers; and law enforcement agencies. The state plan to be provided to the general assembly, the appropriate committees and the governor shall include, as a minimum, the information required of the various groups in subsection (b). (b) The development of the comprehensive state plan shall be accomplished in the following manner: (1) The department of children’s services shall establish a task force composed of representatives from the department of mental health and developmental disabilities, the commission on children and youth created by § 37-3-102, a child abuse agency as defined in § 37-5-501, the interdepartmental coordination council appointed pursuant to § 37-3-108 [repealed], a treatment resource as defined in § 33-1-101, the child abuse review teams created by § 37-1407, and a local child service agency. Representatives of the departments of children’s services, education, health, the Tennessee bureau of investigation, district attorneys general conference, Tennessee council of juvenile and family court judges, and local law enforcement agencies shall serve as ex officio members of the task force. The task force shall be responsible for: (A) Developing a plan of action for better coordination and integration of the goals, activities, and funding of the department pertaining to the detection, intervention, prevention, and treatment of child sexual abuse in order to maximize staff and resources, including the effective utilization of licensure personnel in determining whether children are properly cared for and protected by the child care agencies licensed by the department of children’s services or human services. The department shall develop ways not only to inform and instruct all personnel in the child care agencies in the detection, intervention, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse, but shall develop ways for licensure 312 Tennessee Laws on Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Student Handout personnel at least annually to require that all such agencies present a prevention program to the children enrolled in and cared for by the agency. Licensing staff shall provide training to such agencies if needed to assist them in presenting such a program and shall review and approve the materials to be presented. The department shall formulate an effective and efficient method for updating files of victims of child sexual abuse. The plan for accomplishing this end shall be included in the comprehensive state plan; (B) Preparing the state plan for submission to the members of the general assembly and the governor. Such preparation shall include the cooperative plans as provided in this section and the plan of action for coordination and integration of departmental activities into one (1) comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan shall include a section reflecting general conditions and needs, an analysis of variations based on population or geographic areas, identified problems, and recommendations for change; and (C) Working with the specified agency in fulfilling the requirements of subdivisions (b)(2), (3), (4), (5) and (6); (2) The department of education and the state board of education and the department of children’s services shall work together in developing ways to inform and instruct appropriate school personnel and children in all school districts in the detection, intervention, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse and in the proper action that should be taken in a suspected case of child sexual abuse. The plan for accomplishing this end shall be included in the comprehensive state plan; (3) The departments of education and children’s services, and the state board of education, shall work together on the enhancement or adaptation of curriculum materials to assist instructional personnel in providing instruction through a multi-disciplinary approach on the detection, intervention, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. The curriculum materials shall be geared toward a sequential program of instruction at progressional levels for kindergarten (K) through grade six (6). Strategies for utilizing the curriculum shall be included in the comprehensive plan; (4) The Jerry F. Agee Tennessee Law Enforcement Academy, the Tennessee peace officer standards and training commission, and the department of children’s services shall work together in developing ways to inform and instruct appropriate local law enforcement personnel in the detection of child sexual abuse and in the proper action that should be taken in a suspected case of child sexual abuse: (A) Guidelines shall be prepared establishing a standard procedure which may be followed by police agencies in the investigation of cases involving sexual abuse of children, including police response to, and treatment of, victims of such crimes; (B) The course of training leading to the basic certificate issued by the Tennessee peace officer standards and training commission shall include adequate instruction in the procedures described in subdivision (b)(4)(A) and shall be included as a part of the in-service training requirement to be eligible for the salary supplement authorized in § 38-8-111; (C) A course of study pursuant to such procedures for the training of specialists in the investigation of child sexual abuse cases shall be implemented by the Jerry F. Agee Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy. Officers assigned as investigation specialists for these crimes shall successfully complete their training; (D) The peace officers standards and training commission may authorize the certification of officers under this section if the officers have received training meeting the criteria established in subdivision (b)(4)(A) from any other approved training course at sites other than the Jerry F. Agee Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy; and (E) It is the intent of the general assembly to encourage theestablishment of child sex crime investigation units in sheriffs’ departments and police agencies throughout the state, which units shall include investigating crimes involving sexual abuse of children. The plan for accomplishing this end shall be included in the comprehensive state plan; (5) The department of children’s services shall work with other appropriate public and private agencies to emphasize efforts to educate the general public about the problem of and ways to 412 Tennessee Laws on Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Student Handout detect, intervene in, prevent and treat child sexual abuse, and in the proper action that should be taken in a suspected case of child sexual abuse. Such plan shall include a method for publicizing and notifying the general public of the resources and agencies available to provide help and services for victimized children and their families. The plan for accomplishing this end shall be included in the comprehensive state plan; and (6) The department of children’s services and the judicial council shall work together in developing a mechanism to inform and instruct judges with juvenile, divorce and criminal jurisdiction in the detection, intervention, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse and in the proper action that should be taken in a known or suspected case of child sexual abuse. The plan for accomplishing this end shall be included in the comprehensive state plan. (c) (1) All budget requests submitted by the department of children’s services, the department of education, or any other agency to the general assembly for funding of efforts for the detection, intervention, prevention, and treatment of child sexual abuse shall be based on the state comprehensive plan developed pursuant to this section. (2) The department of children’s services shall readdress the plan one (1) year following its initial presentation and at least biennially thereafter, and shall make necessary revisions. No later than January 31, 1987, and no later than January 31 of every uneven year thereafter, such revisions shall be submitted to the government operations committees of both houses of the general assembly and to the governor. [Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 4; 1987, ch. 145, § 27; 1988, ch. 953, § 13; 1989, ch. 278, § 36; 1996, ch. 1079, § 73; 2000, ch. 947, § 6; 2000, ch. 981, §§ 51, 56.] 37-1-604. Legislative intent relating to investigations, protective services and reports. The intent of this section through § 37-1-615 is to provide for the investigation of child sexual abuse by the child protection team, and to provide for comprehensive protective services for sexually abused children found in the state by requiring that reports of each sexually abused child be made to the department and the office of the district attorney general in an effort to prevent further harm to the child or any other children living in the home and to preserve the family life of the parents and children, to the maximum extent possible, by enhancing the parental capacity for adequate child care. [Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 5.] 37-1-605. Reports of known or suspected child sexual abuse - Investigations. (a) Any person, including, but not limited to, any: (1) Physician, osteopathic physician, medical examiner, chiropractor, nurse or hospital personnel engaged in the admission, examination, care or treatment of persons; (2) Health or mental health professional other than one listed in subdivision (1); (3) Practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means for healing; (4) School teacher or other school official or personnel; (5) Judge of any court of the state; (6) Social worker, day care center worker, or other professional child care, foster care, residential or institutional worker; (7) Law enforcement officer; or (8) Neighbor, relative, friend or any other person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been sexually abused; 512 Tennessee Laws on Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Student Handout shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the department in the manner prescribed in subsection (b). (b) (1) Each report of known or suspected child sexual abuse pursuant to this section shall be made immediately to the local office of the department responsible for the investigation of reports made pursuant to this section or to the judge having juvenile jurisdiction or to the office of the sheriff or the chief law enforcement official of the municipality where the child resides. Each report of known or suspected child sexual abuse occurring in a facility licensed by the department of mental health and developmental disabilities, as defined in § 33-5-402, or any hospital, shall also be made to the local law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where such offense occurred. In addition to those procedures provided by this part, the provisions of § 37-1-405 shall also apply to all cases reported hereunder. (2) If a law enforcement official or judge becomes aware of known or suspected child sexual abuse, through personal knowledge, receipt of a report or otherwise, such information shall be reported to the department immediately and the child protective team shall be notified to investigate the report for the protection of the child in accordance with the provisions of this part. Further criminal investigation by such official shall be appropriately conducted. (3) Reports involving known or suspected institutional child sexual abuse shall be made and received in the same manner as all other reports made pursuant to this section. (c) Any person required to report or investigate cases of suspected child sexual abuse who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child died as a result of child sexual abuse shall report such suspicion to the appropriate medical examiner. The medical examiner shall accept the report for investigation and shall report the medical examiner’s findings, in writing, to the local law enforcement agency, the appropriate district attorney general, and the department. Autopsy reports maintained by the medical examiner shall not be subject to the confidentiality requirements provided for in § 37-1-612. [Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 6; 1987, ch. 145, §§ 2, 11; 1988, ch. 953, § 14; 1993, ch. 439, § 2; 1994, ch. 901, § 2; 2000, ch. 947, §§ 6, 8M.] 37-1-605. Reports of known or suspected child sexual abuse - Investigations. (a) Any person, including, but not limited to, any: (1) Physician, osteopathic physician, medical examiner, chiropractor, nurse or hospital personnel engaged in the admission, examination, care or treatment of persons; (2) Health or mental health professional other than one listed in subdivision (1); (3) Practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means for healing; (4) School teacher or other school official or personnel; (5) Judge of any court of the state; (6) Social worker, day care center worker, or other professional child care, foster care, residential or institutional worker; (7) Law enforcement officer; or (8) Neighbor, relative, friend or any other person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been sexually abused; shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the department in the manner prescribed in subsection (b). (b) (1) Each report of known or suspected child sexual abuse pursuant to this section shall be made immediately to the local office of the department responsible for the investigation of reports made pursuant to this section or to the judge having juvenile jurisdiction or to the office of the sheriff or the chief law enforcement official of the municipality where the child resides. Each report of known or suspected child sexual abuse occurring in a facility licensed by the department of mental health and 612 Tennessee Laws on Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Student Handout developmental disabilities, as defined in § 33-5-402, or any hospital, shall also be made to the local law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where such offense occurred. In addition to those procedures provided by this part, the provisions of § 37-1-405 shall also apply to all cases reported hereunder. (2) If a law enforcement official or judge becomes aware of known or suspected child sexual abuse, through personal knowledge, receipt of a report or otherwise, such information shall be reported to the department immediately and the child protective team shall be notified to investigate the report for the protection of the child in accordance with the provisions of this part. Further criminal investigation by such official shall be appropriately conducted. (3) Reports involving known or suspected institutional child sexual abuse shall be made and received in the same manner as all other reports made pursuant to this section. (c) Any person required to report or investigate cases of suspected child sexual abuse who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child died as a result of child sexual abuse shall report such suspicion to the appropriate medical examiner. The medical examiner shall accept the report for investigation and shall report the medical examiner’s findings, in writing, to the local law enforcement agency, the appropriate district attorney general, and the department. Autopsy reports maintained by the medical examiner shall not be subject to the confidentiality requirements provided for in § 37-1-612. [Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 6; 1987, ch. 145, §§ 2, 11; 1988, ch. 953, § 14; 1993, ch. 439, § 2; 1994, ch. 901, § 2; 2000, ch. 947, §§ 6, 8M.] 37-1-607. Child protective teams - Investigations - Services. (a) (1) The department shall coordinate the services of child protective teams. At least one (1) child protective team shall be organized in each county. The district attorney general of each judicial district shall, by January 15 of each year, report to the judiciary committees of the senate and house of representatives on the status of the teams in the district attorney general’s district as required by this section, and the progress of the child protective teams which have been organized in the district attorney general’s district. The department shall, with the cooperation of all statutorily authorized members of the child protective team, establish a procedure and format for data collection. The procedure and format, including an implementation plan with timelines, shall be cooperatively developed and presented to the judiciary committees of the senate and house of representatives, the house children and family affairs committee and the select committee on children and youth on or before January 15, 2000. The procedure and format developed shall include at a minimum the following information: (A) The number of reports received for investigation by type (i.e., sexual abuse, serious physical abuse, life-threatening neglect); (B) The number of investigations initiated by type; (C) The number of final dispositions of cases obtained in the current reporting year by type of disposition as follows: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) Unsubstantiated, closed, no service; Unsubstantiated, referred for non-custodial support services; Substantiated, closed, no service; Substantiated, service provided, no prosecution; Substantiated, service provided, prosecution, acquittal; or Substantiated, service provided, prosecution, conviction. (D) Age, race, gender, and relationship to the victim of perpetrators identified in cases which are included in (a)(1)(C)(iii) - (vi); and 712 Tennessee Laws on Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Student Handout (E) The type and amount of community-based support received by child protective teams through linkages with other local agencies and organizations and through monetary and/or in-kind donations. (2) Each team shall be composed of one (1) person from the department, one (1) representative from the office of the district attorney general, one (1) juvenile court officer or investigator from a court of competent jurisdiction, and one (1) properly trained law enforcement officer with countywide jurisdiction from the county where the child resides or where the alleged offense occurred. The team may also include a representative from one (1) of the mental health disciplines. It is in the best interest of the child that, whenever possible, an initial investigation shall not be commenced unless all four (4) disciplines are represented. An initial investigation may, however, be commenced if at least two (2) of the team members are present at the initial investigation. In those geographical areas in which a child advocacy center meets the requirements of § 9-4-213(a) or (b), child advocacy center directors, or their designees, shall be members of the teams under this part and part 4 of this chapter for the purposes of provision of services and functions established by § 9-4-213 or delegated pursuant to that section. In such event, child advocacy center directors, or their designees, may access and generate all necessary information, which shall retain its confidential status, consistent with § 37-1-612. (3) It is the intent of the general assembly that the child protective investigations be conducted by the team members in a manner which not only protects the child but which also preserves any evidence for future criminal prosecutions. It is essential, therefore, that all phases of the child protective investigation be appropriately conducted and that further investigations, as appropriate, be properly conducted and coordinated. (b) (1) The department shall convene the appropriate team when a report of child sexual abuse has been received. Nothing in this section shall be construed to remove or reduce the duty and responsibility of any person to report all suspected or actual cases of child sexual abuse. The role of the teams shall be to conduct child protective investigations of reported child sexual abuse and to support and provide services to sexually abused children upon referral as deemed by the teams to be necessary and appropriate for such children. (2) For each child sexual abuse report it receives, the department shall immediately notify the child protection investigation team which shall commence an on-site child protective investigation. The team shall: (A) Determine the composition of the family or household, including the name, address, age, sex and race of each child named in the report; any siblings or other children in the same household or in the care of the same adults; the parents or other persons responsible for the child’s welfare; and any other adults in the same household; (B) Determine whether there is any indication that any child in the family or household is sexually abused, including a determination of harm or threatened harm to each child; the nature and extent of present or prior injuries, or abuse, and any evidence thereof; and a determination as to the person or persons apparently responsible for the abuse; (C) Determine the immediate and long-term risk to each child if the child remains in the existing home environment; and (D) Determine the protective, treatment and ameliorative services necessary to safeguard and ensure the child’s well-being and development and, if possible, to preserve and stabilize family life. The team shall seek to interview the child in a neutral setting, other than where the alleged abuse occurred, whenever possible. (3) Immediately upon receipt of a report alleging, or immediately upon learning during the course of an investigation, that: (A) Child sexual abuse has occurred; or 812 Tennessee Laws on Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Student Handout (B) An observable injury or medically diagnosed internal injury occurred as a result of the sexual abuse; the department shall orally notify the team, the appropriate district attorney general and the appropriate law enforcement agency whose criminal investigations shall be coordinated, whenever possible, with the child protective team investigation. In all cases, the team and the department shall make a full written report to the district attorney general within three (3) days of the oral report. If, as a result of an investigation, there is cause to believe a violation of title 39, chapter 17, part 10 has occurred, an appropriate report shall be filed by the district attorney general requesting an investigation by the Tennessee bureau of investigation. If independent criminal investigations are made, interviews with the victimized child shall be kept to an absolute minimum and, whenever possible, reference to the videotape or tapes made by the child protective teams should be utilized. (4) In addition to the requirements of this part, the provisions of § 37-1-406 shall apply to any investigation conducted hereunder. (5) As a result of its investigation, the team may recommend that criminal charges be filed against the alleged offender. Any interested person who has information regarding the offenses described in this subsection may forward a statement to the district attorney general as to whether prosecution is warranted and appropriate. Within fifteen (15) days of the completion of the district attorney general’s investigation, the district attorney general shall advise the department and the team whether or not prosecution is justified and appropriate in the district attorney general’s opinion in view of the circumstances of the specific case. (c) (1) The specialized diagnostic assessment, evaluation, coordination, consultation, and other supportive services that the team shall be capable of providing, to the extent funds are specifically appropriated therefor, or by referral shall be capable of obtaining for the protection of the child, include, but are not limited to, the following: (A) Telephone consultation services in emergencies and in other situations; (B) Medical evaluation related to the sexual abuse; (C) Such psychological and psychiatric diagnosis and evaluation services for the child, siblings, parent or parents, guardian or guardians, or other care givers, or any other individual involved in a child sexual abuse case, as a child protection team may determine to be needed; (D) Short-term psychological treatment. It is the intent of the general assembly that the department provide or refer a child whose case has been validated by the department, and the child’s family, for short-term psychological treatment before the department may close its case. Such short-term treatment shall be limited to no more than six (6) months’ duration after treatment is initiated, except that the commissioner may authorize such treatment for individual children beyond this limitation if the commissioner deems it appropriate; (E) Expert medical, psychological and related professional testimony in court cases; (F) Case staffings to develop, implement and monitor treatment plans for a child whose case has been validated by the department. In all such case staffings, consultations, or staff activities involving a child, at least one (1) member of the team involved in the initial investigation shall continue to monitor the progress and status of the child whenever possible and within the same geographic area; and (G) Case service coordination and assistance, including the location of services available from other public and private agencies in the community. (2) In all instances where a child protection team is providing or has obtained by referral certain services to sexually abused children, other offices and units of the department shall avoid duplicating the provision of those services. 912 Tennessee Laws on Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Student Handout [Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 8; 1987, ch. 145, §§ 3, 5; T.C.A., § 37-1-606(a)(2), (4); Acts 1988, ch. 953, §§ 9, 18-20; 1996, ch. 675, § 17; 1999, ch. 453, §§ 1, 2.] 37-1-609. Photographs and examinations of suspected abuse - Video recordings. (a) Any person required to investigate cases of suspected child sexual abuse may take or cause to be taken photographs of the areas of trauma visible on a child who is the subject of a report and, if the condition of the child indicates a need for a medical examination, may cause the child to be referred for diagnosis to a licensed physician or an emergency department in a hospital without the consent of the child’s parents, legal guardian or legal custodian. Any licensed physician who, based on information furnished by the investigator, the parents or other persons having knowledge of the situation, and/or the child, or on personal observation of the child, suspects that a child has been sexually abused may authorize appropriate examinations to be performed on the child without the consent of the child’s parents, legal guardian or legal custodian. (b) Any photograph or report on examinations made or x-rays taken pursuant to this section, or copies thereof, shall be sent to the department as soon as possible, at which point such records shall be available to the members of the team. All state, county and local agencies shall give the team or the department access to records in their custody and shall otherwise cooperate fully with the investigation. (c) At the initial investigation of child sexual abuse by the child protection team, and at any subsequent investigations as deemed appropriate by the team, when a justifiable suspicion of sexual abuse exists, a videotape recording which meets the standards as established by § 24-7-116 may be taken of the traumatized victim. The video recording shall be taken for the purpose of indicating the child’s physical or mental condition at the time the report is investigated and shall be made available for future reference and for utilization as provided in this part. [Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 10; 1987, ch. 145, § 20; 1988, ch. 953, § 11.] 37-1-611. Duties of department of children’s services - Cooperation with department - Publicity and education program. (a) The department shall: (1) Have prime responsibility for strengthening and improving child sexual abuse detection, prevention and treatment efforts; (2) Seek and encourage the development of improved or additional programs and activities, the assumption of prevention and treatment responsibilities by additional agencies and organizations, and the coordination of existing programs and activities; (3) To the fullest extent possible, cooperate with and seek cooperation of all appropriate public and private agencies, including health, education, social services, and law enforcement agencies, and courts, organizations, or programs providing or concerned with children’s services related to the prevention, detection, intervention or treatment of child sexual abuse; and (4) Provide ongoing protective, treatment and ameliorative services to, and on behalf of, children in need of protection to safeguard and ensure their well-being and, whenever possible, to preserve and stabilize family life. (b) All state, county, and local agencies have a duty to give such cooperation, assistance, and information to the department as will enable it to fulfill its responsibilities. (c) The department shall conduct a continuing publicity and education program for staff and officials required to report and any other appropriate persons to encourage the fullest degree of reporting of suspected child sexual abuse. The program shall include, but not be limited to, information concerning 1012 Tennessee Laws on Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Student Handout the responsibilities, obligations, and powers provided under this part; the methods for diagnosis of child sexual abuse; and the procedures of the child protective service program, the juvenile court, and other duly authorized agencies. In developing training programs for staff, the department shall place emphasis on preservice and inservice training for single intake, protective services, and foster care staff which would include skills in diagnosis and treatment of child sexual abuse and procedures of the child protective system and judicial process. [Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 12; 1996, ch. 1079, § 73.] 37-1-407. Child abuse review teams. (a) The department shall make available to each community a multi-disciplinary advisory team to be known as the child abuse review team. (b) (1) The team shall be composed of at least the following persons: (A) A representative of the department of children’s services who shall serve as team coordinator; (B) A physician; (C) A psychologist or psychiatrist; and (D) A social worker. (2) A representative of the local juvenile court may participate if desired by the juvenile judge, and a representative of the local law enforcement agency may participate if requested by the district attorney general after notification under § 37-1-406(f). (3) The department shall choose its representative and all other persons on the team, with the exception of the representatives of the local law enforcement agency and the local juvenile court who shall be chosen by the chief officer of their respective operating units. (c) The team shall review all cases in which the investigation of the department has resulted in a finding of child abuse in its report to the juvenile court. In reviewing the cases, the team shall serve as a diagnostic and prognostic service for the department. The team may be called upon to review other cases when deemed appropriate by the department. The team shall assist the department in its plans for treatment for the child and for the parents or person responsible for the care of the child. (d) Upon completion of the review of each case, the team shall make a written report of its deliberations and shall submit this report to the director of the local department office. (e) The department may, within limits of the available resources, purchase the services of individuals on the review teams whose salaried positions with state or local government do not already fall within the role and responsibility of the team. [Acts 1977, ch. 343, § 4; 1978, ch. 886, § 3; T.C.A., § 37-1207; 1996, ch. 1079, § 73.] 37-1-613. Immunity from civil or criminal liability. Any person making a report of child sexual abuse shall be afforded the same immunity and shall have the same remedies as provided by § 37-1-410 for other persons reporting harm to a child. Any other person, official or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by this part shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. [Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 14.] 37-1-614. Evidentiary privileges inapplicable in child sexual abuse cases. 1112 Tennessee Laws on Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse Student Handout The privileged quality of communication between husband and wife and between any professional person and the professional person’s patient or client, and any other privileged communication except that between attorney and client, as such communication relates both to the competency of the witness and to the exclusion of confidential communications, shall not apply to any situation involving known or suspected child sexual abuse and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report as required by this part, failure to cooperate with the department in its activities pursuant to this part, or failure to give evidence in any judicial proceeding relating to child sexual abuse. [Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 15.] 37-1-615. Violations - Penalties. (a) Any person required to report known or suspected child sexual abuse who knowingly and willfully fails to do so, or who knowingly and willfully prevents another person from doing so, commits a Class A misdemeanor. (b) Any person who knowingly and willfully makes public or discloses any confidential information contained in the abuse registry or in the records of any child sexual abuse case, except as provided in this part, commits a Class A misdemeanor. [Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 16; 1989, ch. 591, § 111.] 37-1-413. False reporting of child sexual abuse - Penalty. Any person who either verbally or by written or printed communication knowingly and maliciously reports, or causes, encourages, aids, counsels or procures another to report, a false accusation of child sexual abuse commits a Class E felony. [Acts 1985, ch. 478, § 43; 1989, ch. 591, § 33.] 1212