Sec. 4. (a) An alleged victim of an offense under sections 1 through 1.4 of this chapter:

(1) may not be detained in a facility that is inappropriate to the victim's status as a crime victim;

(2) may not be jailed, fined, or otherwise penalized due to having been the victim of the offense; and

(3) shall be provided protection if the victim's safety is at risk or if there is danger of additional harm by recapture of the victim by the person who allegedly committed the offense, including:

(A) taking measures to protect the alleged victim and the victim's family members from intimidation and threats of reprisals and reprisals from the person who allegedly committed the offense or the person's agent; and

(B) ensuring that the names and identifying information of the alleged victim and the victim's family members are not disclosed to the public.

This subsection shall be administered by law enforcement agencies and the Indiana criminal justice institute as appropriate.

(b) Not more than fifteen (15) days after the date a law enforcement agency first encounters an alleged victim of an offense under sections 1 through 1.4 of this chapter, the law enforcement agency shall provide the alleged victim with a completed Declaration of Law Enforcement Officer for Victim of Trafficking in Persons (LEA Declaration, Form I-914 Supplement B) in accordance with 8 CFR 214.11(f)(1). However, if the law enforcement agency finds that the grant of an LEA Declaration is not appropriate for the alleged victim, the law enforcement agency shall, not more than fifteen (15) days after the date the agency makes the finding, provide the alleged victim with a letter explaining the grounds for the denial of the LEA Declaration. After receiving a denial letter, the alleged victim may submit additional evidence to the law enforcement agency. If the alleged victim submits additional evidence, the law enforcement agency shall reconsider the denial of the LEA Declaration not more than seven (7) days after the date the agency receives the additional evidence.

(c) If a law enforcement agency detains an alleged victim of an offense under sections 1 through 1.4 of this chapter who is less than eighteen (18) years of age, the law enforcement agency shall immediately notify the department of child services that the alleged victim:

(1) has been detained; and

(2) may be a victim of child abuse or neglect.

As added by P.L.173-2006, SEC.52. Amended by P.L.130-2009, SEC.27; P.L.23-2015, SEC.3; P.L.144-2018, SEC.27.