Bill > A06533

This bill, known as "Marchella Pierce's Law," requires child protective services (CPS) workers and contractors to document every home visit or contact with a child as part of a treatment plan or supervision by taking a photograph of the child during each visit. The photograph must be of sufficient quality to clearly identify the child and include accurate time and date information, and will become part of the child's confidential case record. The bill mandates that these photographs be taken using a tablet or comparable device and will be subject to periodic review by the case supervisor. Additionally, the supervising authority may require geographic documentation of the visit when practicable. This legislation applies to both children under investigation for potential abuse or maltreatment and foster children, aiming to enhance documentation and monitoring of child welfare cases. The bill is likely named after a specific child whose case may have highlighted gaps in child protective services oversight, and it seeks to create a more rigorous and visual documentation process for tracking children's well-being during CPS interactions.

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https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6533