“SEC. 20-D. Joint Parental Responsibility. – Based on the recommendation of the multidisciplinary team of the IJISC, the LSWDO or the DSWD, the court may require the parents of a child in conflict with the law to undergo counseling or any other intervention that, in the opinion of the court, would advance the welfare and best interest of the child. “As used in this Act, ‘parents’ shall mean any of the following: “(a) Biological parents of the child; or “(b) Adoptive parents of the child; or “(c) Individuals who have custody of the child. “A court exercising jurisdiction over a child in conflict with the law may require the attendance of one or both parents of the child at the place where the proceedings are to be conducted. “The parents shall be liable for damages unless they prove, to the satisfaction of the court, that they were exercising reasonable supervision over the child at the time the child committed the offense and exerted reasonable effort and utmost diligence to prevent or discourage the child from committing another offense.” “SEC. 20-E. Assistance to Victims of Offenses Committed by Children. – The victim of the offense committed by a child and the victim’s family shall be provided the appropriate assistance and psychological intervention by the LSWDO, the DSWD and other concerned agencies.” SEC. 7. Section 22 of Republic Act No. 9344 is hereby amended to read as follows: “SEC. 22. Duties During Initial Investigation. – The law enforcement officer shall, in his/her investigation, determine where the case involving the child in conflict with the law should be referred. “The taking of the statement of the child shall be conducted in the presence of the following: (1) child’s counsel of choice or in the absence thereof, a lawyer from the Public Attorney’s Office; (2) the child’s parents, guardian, or nearest relative, as the case may be; and (3) the local social welfare and development officer. In the absence of the child’s parents, guardian, or nearest relative, and the local social welfare and development officer, the investigation shall be conducted in the presence of a representative of an NGO, religious group, or member of the BCPC. “The social worker shall conduct an initial assessment to determine the appropriate interventions and whether the child acted with discernment, using the discernment assessment tools developed by the DSWD. The initial assessment shall be without prejudice to the preparation of a more comprehensive case study report. The local social worker shall do either of the following: “(a) Proceed in accordance with Section 20 if the child is fifteen (15) years or below or above fifteen (15) but below eighteen (18) years old, who acted without discernment; and