Section 17-15-16 - Funding for costs of forensic interviews for persons less than 18 years of age or developmentally disabled

(a) When a forensic interview is conducted and when funding is available, the cost of such interview for a person who is less than 18 years of age or developmentally disabled may be paid for by the fund in an amount to be determined by the board.(b) The board shall develop standards, protocols, and guidelines related to reimbursement of forensic interview providers.(c) The board shall establish an annual limit of:(1) The amount that may be paid from the fund;(2) The amount that may be reimbursed for each interview; and(3) The limit on the number of interviews that will be reimbursable from the fund.(d) Funding may be used only when: (1) The results of the forensic interview will be for identification of the interviewee's needs, including social services, personal advocacy, case management, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services;(2) The forensic interviews are conducted in the context of a multidisciplinary investigation and diagnostic team, or in a specialized setting such as a child advocacy center; and(3) The interviewer is trained to conduct forensic interviews appropriate to the developmental age and abilities of children, or the developmental, cognitive, and

such as a child advocacy center; and(3) The interviewer is trained to conduct forensic interviews appropriate to the developmental age and abilities of children, or the developmental, cognitive, and physical or communication disabilities presented by adults.Added by 2014 Ga. Laws 551,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2014.