(a) For purposes of this section, to “perform a medical evidentiary examination” means to evaluate, collect, preserve, and document evidence, interpret findings, and document examination results as described in Sections 13823.5 to 13823.11, inclusive.

(b) (1) To ensure the delivery of standardized curriculum, essential for consistent examination procedures throughout the state, one hospital-based training center shall be identified as the California Clinical Forensic Medical Training Center and established through a competitive bidding process, to train qualified health care professionals on how to perform medical evidentiary examinations for victims of child abuse or neglect, child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, domestic violence, elder or dependent adult abuse, and abuse or assault perpetrated against persons with disabilities. The center also shall provide training for investigative and court personnel involved in dependency and criminal proceedings, on how to interpret the findings of medical evidentiary examinations.

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

(2) The training provided by the training center shall be made available to qualified health care professionals, law enforcement, and the courts throughout the state.

(c) The training center shall meet all of the following criteria:

(1) Recognized expertise and experience in providing medical evidentiary examinations for victims of child abuse or neglect, child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, domestic violence, elder or dependent adult abuse, and abuse or assault perpetrated against persons with disabilities.

(2) Recognized expertise and experience implementing the protocol established pursuant to Section 13823.5.

(3) History of providing training, including, but not limited to, the clinical supervision of trainees and the evaluation of clinical competency.

(4) Recognized expertise and experience in the use of advanced medical technology and training in the evaluation of victims of child abuse or neglect, child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, domestic violence, elder or dependent adult abuse, and abuse or assault perpetrated against persons with disabilities.

(5) Significant history in working with professionals in the field of criminalistics.

(6) Established relationships with local crime laboratories, clinical laboratories, law enforcement agencies, district attorneys’ offices, child protective services, victim advocacy programs, and federal investigative agencies.

(7) The capacity for developing a telecommunication network between primary, secondary, and tertiary medical providers.

(8) History of leadership in working collaboratively with forensic medical experts, criminal justice experts, investigative social worker experts, state criminal justice, social services, health and mental health agencies, and statewide professional associations representing the various disciplines, especially those specified in paragraph (8) of subdivision (d).

(9) History of leadership of and capability for developing and providing training and technical assistance for sexual assault forensic examination teams, and recognition of the nexus between the sexual assault forensic examination teams and completion of the mandated medical evidentiary examination forms.

(10) History of working collaboratively with state and local victim advocacy organizations, especially those addressing sexual assault and domestic violence.

(11) History and experience in the development and delivery of standardized curriculum for forensic medical experts, criminal justice professionals, and investigative social workers.

(12) History of research, particularly involving databases, in the area of child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, elder or dependent adult abuse, abuse or assault perpetrated against persons with disabilities, or domestic violence.

(d) The training center shall do all of the following:

(1) Develop and implement a standardized training program for qualified health care professionals that has been reviewed and approved by a multidisciplinary peer review committee.

(2) Develop and maintain updated standardized medical evidentiary examination forms, both paper and electronic, develop and maintain protocols for examination of child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, domestic violence, elder or dependent adult abuse, or abuse or assault perpetrated against persons with disabilities, including supplemental forms and protocols for medical evaluation of strangulation injuries for all types of interpersonal violence.

(3) Advance the field with scientific evidence-based curriculum through standardized form development and data analysis for compliance, quality assurance, and curriculum development.

(4) Develop a telecommunication system network between the training center and other areas of the state, including rural and midsized counties. This service shall provide case consultation to qualified health care professionals, law enforcement, and the courts and provide continuing medical education.

(5) Provide ongoing basic, advanced, and specialized training programs for qualified health care professionals on child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, domestic violence, elder or dependent adult abuse, and abuse or assault perpetrated against persons with disabilities, including training on best practices for all abused patients, including patients who suffer from strangulation injuries.

(6) Develop guidelines for the reporting and management of child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, elder or dependent adult abuse, and abuse or assault perpetrated against persons with disabilities.

(7) Provide training and technical assistance for sexual assault forensic examination teams on the science of medical evidentiary examinations, emerging trends, and sound operational practices, and conduct annual training needs assessments for sexual assault forensic examination teams.

(8) Develop recommended guidelines for evaluating the results of training for qualified health care professionals performing examinations.

(9) Provide standardized training for law enforcement officers, district attorneys, public defenders, investigative social workers, and judges on medical evidentiary examination procedures and the interpretation of findings. This training shall be developed and implemented in collaboration with the Peace Officer Standards and Training Program, the California District Attorneys Association, the California Peace Officers Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the California Association of Crime Laboratory Directors, the California Sexual Assault Investigators Association, the California Alliance Against Domestic Violence, the Statewide California Coalition for Battered Women, the Family Violence Prevention Fund, child victim advocacy organizations, the California Welfare Directors Association, the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the Department of Justice, the agency, the Child Welfare Training Program, and the University of California extension programs.

(10) Promote an interdisciplinary approach in the assessment and management of child abuse and neglect, child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, domestic violence, elder or dependent adult abuse, and abuse or assault against persons with disabilities.

(11) Provide training in the dynamics of victimization, including, but not limited to, rape trauma syndrome, intimate partner battering and its effects, the effects of child abuse and neglect, the effects of child sexual abuse, and the various aspects of elder abuse. This training shall be provided by individuals who are recognized as experts within their respective disciplines.

(12) Provide training on the use of the standardized sexual assault forensic examination kit.

(13) Provide continuing education through publications, including, but not limited to, training videos, webinars, and telecommunications.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to change the scope of practice for any health care provider, as defined in other provisions of law.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 714, Sec. 6. (AB 538) Effective January 1, 2020.)