Bill > A00744

This bill adds new requirements for collecting and reporting detailed data about "alternative living arrangements" for children who are at risk of maltreatment. An alternative living arrangement is defined as an out-of-home placement for a child that can result from child protective service investigations, differential response programs, requests for respite services, voluntary foster care placements, or investigations about a child potentially being destitute. The Office of Children and Family Services will be required to collect and compile an annual comprehensive report with extensive data points, including the total number of such arrangements, the number of children involved, placement details (such as with relatives or in respite care), and subsequent legal actions or outcomes. The report must be disaggregated by demographic factors like age, sex, race, and ethnicity, and for large districts, by zip code. This data must be published on the office's website within 90 days after the end of each calendar year and submitted to various government officials, including the Governor, legislative leaders, and committee chairs. The goal appears to be increasing transparency and understanding of alternative living arrangements for children at risk, to help policymakers and child welfare professionals better support vulnerable children and families.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A744