DCS; sexual abuse allegations; interviews

SB 1631 requires Arizona's Department of Child Safety (DCS) and local law enforcement to implement standardized protocols for investigating sexual abuse allegations against children. It mandates that a trained forensic interviewer conduct a child's initial interview within 72 hours of a report alleging sexual abuse (defined as offenses under specific Arizona statutes like molestation, trafficking, or assault), with limited exceptions for medical care or child location. The bill also establishes requirements for county-level interdisciplinary investigations, information sharing, joint case coordination, and annual reporting to the governor and legislature. These protocols directly affect DCS workers, county attorneys, law enforcement, and medical experts involved in child abuse cases. The law does not change evidence admissibility but focuses on improving investigation speed and coordination.