PUBLIC LAW 100-294—APR. 25, 1988
102 STAT. I l l
"(A) provisions for the reporting of known and suspected instances of child abuse and neglect; and "(B) provisions for immunity from prosecution under State and local laws for persons who report instances of child abuse or neglect for circumstances arising from such reporting; "(2) provide that upon receipt of a report of known or suspected instances of child abuse or neglect an investigation shall be initiated promptly to substantiate the accuracy of the report, and, upon a finding of abuse or neglect, immediate steps shall be taken to protect the health and welfare of the abused or neglected child and of any other child under the same care who may be in danger of abuse or neglect; "(3) demonstrate that there are in effect throughout the State, in connection with the enforcement of child abuse and neglect laws and with the reporting of suspected instances of child abuse and neglect, such— "(A) administrative procedures; "(B) personnel trained in child abuse and neglect prevention and treatment; "(C) training procedures; "(D) institutional and other facilities (public and private); and "(E) such related multidisciplinary programs and services, as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that the State will deal effectively with child abuse and neglect cases in the State; "(4) provide for methods to preserve the confidentiality of all Classified records in order to protect the rights of the child and of the information. child's parents or guardians; "(5) provide for the cooperation of law enforcement officials, courts of competent jurisdiction, and appropriate State agencies providing human services; "(6) provide that in every case involving an abused or neglected child which results in a judicial proceeding a guardian ad litem shall be appointed to represent the child in such proceedings; "(7) provide that the aggregate of support for programs or projects related to child abuse and neglect assisted by State funds shall not be reduced below the level provided during fiscal year 1973, and set forth policies and procedures designed to ensure that Federal funds made available under this Act for any fiscal year shall be so used as to supplement and, to the extent practicable, increase the level of State funds which would, in the absence of Federal funds, be available for such programs and projects; "(8) provide for dissemination of information, including ef- Public forts to encourage more accurate reporting, to the general information. public with respect to the problem of child abuse and neglect and the facilities and prevention and treatment methods available to combat instances of child abuse and neglect; "(9) to the extent feasible, ensure that parental organizations combating child abuse and neglect receive preferential treatment; and "(10) have in place for the purpose of responding to the Handicapped reporting of medical neglect (including instances of withholding persons. of medically indicated treatment from disabled infants with life-
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