A. Subject to the availability of funds, there is hereby established within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation the Child Abuse Response Team (CART) for the purpose of investigating cases of physical and sexual abuse of a child. For the purpose of implementing CART, the Bureau shall employ at least eight Law Enforcement Special Agents assigned to the CART, which shall be full-time-equivalent positions within the Bureau. The previously unclassified positions of CART investigator and CART forensic interviewer shall be transferred to and placed in the classified service without a loss in salary.

B. In addition to any other law or rule specifying requirements or qualifications for an OSBI agent to be employed by the Bureau, the Child Abuse Response Team employees shall be qualified for the respective positions as follows:

1. Every CART Agent shall:

a.have at least three (3) years of experience as a criminal investigator in a law enforcement agency or agencies,

b.be currently certified as a peace officer by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET),

c.have served as the primary criminal investigative officer in a law enforcement agency or agencies on cases of physical or sexual abuse of a child,

d.have graduated from an accredited college or university with a bachelor degree,

e.have experience in conducting forensic interviews of children in cases of physical or sexual abuse of a child,

f.have experience testifying in cases of physical or sexual abuse of a child, and

g.have completed at least one hundred (100) hours of education or training on forensic interviewing of a child.

2. If the director of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is unable to find a person whose qualifications meet or exceed the qualifications specified for the position of Law Enforcement Special Agent assigned to the CART, the director is authorized to offer such position to a person whose qualifications substantially meet the qualifications specified for the position.

C. The Bureau may promulgate rules, procedures and forms necessary to establish and implement the functions of the Child Abuse Response Team and to coordinate responsibilities with other persons or agencies having responsibilities relating to child abuse investigation and response to child abuse. Members of the Child Abuse Response Team are authorized, when available, to be involved and utilized in investigations of crimes other than cases of physical and sexual abuse of a child.

D. On or before July 1, 2015, the Bureau shall submit to the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives a statistical report regarding the activities of the CART.

Added by Laws 2006, c. 326, § 2, eff. July 1, 2006. Amended by Laws 2012, c. 153, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2012; Laws 2014, c. 406, § 1, emerg. eff. June 3, 2014.

§74—150.38a. Repealed by Laws 2012, c. 153, § 5. eff. Nov. 1, 2012.