Bill > HR77

This Resolution formally requests the Office of the Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Child Welfare Services Branch (CWSB) within the Department of Human Services, a state agency responsible for protecting children from neglect and abuse. This request stems from serious concerns, including a tragic child abuse and murder case involving adoptive parents who were also resource givers with CWSB, CWSB's repeated failure to meet federal performance standards in child safety and well-being assessments (specifically during reviews in 2003, 2009, and 2017), and significant staffing shortages, with a high vacancy rate for social workers. The audit is intended to evaluate improvements made since the last federal review and to examine strategies for better staff recruitment and retention. The Office of the Auditor is required to submit its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislative changes to the Legislature by a specific deadline before the 2023 legislative session.