Bill > SB01311

This bill addresses several key aspects of child welfare and placement in Connecticut. The bill requires criminal history searches and background checks for relative and fictive kin caregivers when the Department of Children and Families makes an emergency placement of a child, allowing for provisional placements while ensuring child safety. It also permits certain youth who were previously in the care of the Commissioner of Children and Families to reenter care under specific conditions, such as being enrolled in educational programs or activities that promote employment. The bill expands the definition of "child care facility" to include special education settings for individuals up to age 22 and requires the Department of Children and Families to develop a Foster Parent Bill of Rights in consultation with caregivers. Additionally, the bill revises the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, establishing a comprehensive framework for interstate child placements, including detailed provisions for assessment, jurisdiction, placement authority, and dispute resolution. The bill aims to improve child welfare practices, protect children's well-being, and provide more flexibility and support for youth transitioning out of the child welfare system.

Education

Committee on Children

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB01311&which_year=2025