41-3-130. Implementation of certification requirement for child protection specialists. (1) (a) The department shall engage and collaborate with an external organization to develop a child welfare certification and training program, including a competency examination, that must be an ongoing component of the department's child welfare work.

(b) The program and examination must be reevaluated every 2 years to ensure that they:

(i) reflect current trends, research, and developments in the law; and

(ii) promote evidence-based or evidence-informed practices.

(2) A person hired by the department for a child-facing position after October 1, 2021, shall become a certified child protection specialist pursuant to 41-3-127 through 41-3-130 within 1 year of the date of hire.

(3) A person already employed by the department in a child-facing position before October 1, 2021, shall obtain child protection specialist certification pursuant to 41-3-127 through 41-3-130 by October 1, 2023.

(4) For the purpose of this section, "child-facing position" means an employee role under this chapter that involves regular interaction with minors, including but not limited to investigating reports of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment.