1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to child advocacy centers; providing for grants for child advocacy 
1.3 	centers that perform certain core functions; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS; GRANTS.
 1.6 	$1,000,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated 
1.7 	from the general fund to the commissioner of public safety to administer grants for child 
1.8 	advocacy centers established in section 2.

1.9 	Sec. 2. GRANTS; PURPOSE; CRITERIA.
 1.10 		Subdivision 1. Purpose. Grants under this section are provided to stabilize funding 
1.11 	and ensure the continued viability of core functions relating to child maltreatment 
1.12 	investigations, interviews, treatment, and related training. The grants ensure that child 
1.13 	victims of abuse have access to safe, secure facilities and that law enforcement has access 
1.14 	to the tools necessary for the successful apprehension and conviction of child predators. 
1.15 	The grants ensure that important government duties relating to the protection of children 
1.16 	are not ignored and subjected to unstable, irregular funding sources. The grants provide 
1.17 	funding for state mandates relating to child maltreatment reporting and assessment.
1.18 		Subd. 2. Criteria. (a) Grants must be made only to child advocacy centers that are 
1.19 	accredited members in good standing with the National Children's Alliance or are actively 
1.20 	pursuing that status.
1.21 	(b) Grant awards may be used for:
1.22 	(1) child interview or investigation programs and facilities;
1.23 	(2) coordination of or referral for support services; or
2.1 	(3) related statewide training programs.
2.2 	(c) To be eligible for a grant, a child advocacy center must facilitate the provision of 
2.3 	the following core services:
2.4 	(1) support and services for alleged child abuse victims and their families;
2.5 	(2) coordination of investigations of child abuse by providing a location for forensic 
2.6 	interviews;
2.7 	(3) promoting the coordination of services for children alleged to have been abused;
2.8 	(4) forensic medical examinations;
2.9 	(5) mental health and related support services;
2.10 	(6) court advocacy; and
2.11 	(7) consultation and training of multidisciplinary child protection teams.