Each county's child abuse investigation protocols must now require that a child in a sexual abuse report be interviewed by someone trained in forensic interviewing immediately or within 72 hours after the report is received, unless the Department of Child Safety (DCS) shows good cause for a delay.
Official title: DCS; sexual abuse allegations; interviews
- September 12, 2026
What changes
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NowEach county's investigation protocols, developed by the county attorney with the sheriff, local police chiefs and DCS, must include a requirement that when a child alleges sexual abuse, or an abuse or neglect report alleges sexual abuse, a person trained in forensic interviewing must interview the child immediately or within 72 hours after the report is received.
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NowFor this rule, "sexual abuse" means inflicting or allowing any of 8 listed crimes: sexual abuse, sexual conduct with a minor, sexual assault, molestation of a child, commercial sexual exploitation of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor, incest and child sex trafficking.
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NowThe 72-hour deadline does not apply if DCS shows good cause for the delay. Good cause includes: the child is in inpatient physical or mental health care during the 72 hours; the child is not in Arizona or has not been located by DCS; a parent or guardian who is not the subject of the report has not responded or is unable or unwilling to make the child available; or any other good cause DCS documents.
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NowFailing to meet the requirements of this law does not affect whether evidence or a child's statements can be used in any criminal, civil or dependency (child custody) court case.
Who it affects
- Children who allege sexual abuse or are named in reports alleging sexual abuse
- Parents and guardians of those children
- Forensic interviewers
- Department of Child Safety
- County attorneys
- Sheriffs and municipal police departments
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- Who is responsible for conducting or providing the forensic interviewers
- What training qualifies a person as trained in forensic interviewing
- What a forensic interview involves
- Whether any penalty or consequence applies if the 72-hour deadline is missed without good cause
- Whether any funding is provided
- Exactly who must receive the report for the 72-hour clock to start
- When counties must update their protocols to include the new requirement
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.