Bill > S73

This bill establishes an "electronic backpack" program for foster youth, which is defined as a digital collection of a foster youth's educational records. The Department of Children and Families (DCF), in collaboration with the Department of Education and the office of the child advocate, will develop and implement this program to ensure the educational stability of children in foster care. The DCF will create an electronic backpack for each foster youth, containing their educational history, performance, and contact information for educational providers, and this record will be maintained as long as the child is in foster care. Access to these electronic backpacks will be granted to individuals legally authorized to make educational or medical decisions for the foster youth, as well as medical providers if the information is essential for care and permitted by law. The DCF is also tasked with working with the Department of Education to create policies that address the educational needs of foster youth across all school districts, with the program to be fully implemented within one year of the bill's passage.