Idaho State Statutes - Idaho Attorney Directory

(1) By January 1,
1997, the prosecuting attorney in each county shall be responsible for the
development of an interagency multidisciplinary team or teams for
investigation of child abuse and neglect referrals within each county. The
teams shall consist of, but not be limited to, law enforcement personnel,
department of health and welfare child protection risk assessment staff, a
representative of the prosecuting attorney's office, and any other person
deemed to be necessary due to his special training in child abuse
investigation. Other persons may participate in investigation of particular
cases at the invitation of the team and as determined necessary, such as
medical personnel, school officials, mental health workers, personnel from
domestic violence programs, persons knowledgeable about adaptive equipment and
supportive services for parents or guardians with disabilities or the guardian
ad litem program.
(2) The teams shall develop a written protocol for investigation of child
abuse cases and for interviewing alleged victims of such abuse or neglect,
including protocols for investigations involving a family member with a
disability. Each team shall develop written agreements signed by member
agencies, specifying the role of each agency, procedures to be followed to
assess risks to the child and criteria and procedures to be followed to ensure
the child victim's safety including removal of the alleged offender.
(3) Each team member shall be trained in risk assessment, dynamics of
child abuse and interviewing and investigatory techniques.
(4) Each team shall classify, assess and review a representative
selection of cases referred to either the department or to law enforcement
entities for investigation of child abuse or neglect.
(5) Each multidisciplinary team shall develop policies that provide for
an independent review of investigation procedures utilized in cases upon
completion of any court actions on those cases. The procedures shall include
independent citizen input. Nonoffending parents of child abuse victims shall
be notified of the review procedure.
(6) Prosecuting attorneys of the various counties may determine that
multidisciplinary teams may be most effectively established through the use of
joint exercise of powers agreements among more than one (1) county and such
agreements are hereby authorized.
(7) Lack of review by a multidisciplinary team of a particular case does
not defeat the jurisdiction of the court.

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