A center shall:

A. be an entity that is a private, incorporated agency, a hospital or a governmental entity;

B. have a neutral, child-focused facility where forensic interviews with children take place; provided that all agencies shall have a place to interact with the child as investigative or treatment needs require;

C. have a designated staff trained according to standards approved by the national children's alliance;

D. have a multidisciplinary team established in accordance with the provisions of the Children's Advocacy Centers Act that meets on a regular basis, at least every other month;

E. provide case tracking of child abuse cases seen through the center. Case tracking or data collected shall include:

(1) the number of child abuse cases seen at the center;

(2) demographic data;

(3) the number of cases referred for prosecution; and

(4) the number of cases referred for behavioral health services, medical examinations and other related services;

F. provide medical examinations or mental health services at the center or provide referrals for medical examinations or mental health therapy provided by an agency not located at the center but with which the center has a memorandum of understanding or interagency agreement;

G. provide family and victim advocacy services to a child and to a non-offending caregiver of the child;

H. facilitate the provision of training of center staff and multidisciplinary team members; and

I. adhere to the national children's alliance standards.

History: Laws 2019, ch. 134, § 3.

Effective dates. — Laws 2019, ch. 134 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective June 14, 2019, 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature.