1 Department of Health and Human Services; Division for Children, Youth and Families; Assessment to Determine Appropriate Caseload and Workload Standards for Child Protection Staff. The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall conduct an assessment to determine appropriate caseload and/or workload standards for the department's division for children, youth and families' child protection staff that are consistent with the goals of the agency's practice model and that will enable the agency to fulfill its statutory mission to protect children from abuse and neglect. In conducting the assessment, the department may solicit information from experts, community stakeholders, and national leaders, and shall consider caseload trends and the impact of caseloads and workloads on recruitment and retention and the supervision and training of department staff. On or before January 1, 2019, the department shall report the findings of its assessment, along with the department's recommendations for establishing and maintaining appropriate caseload and/or workload standards and the department's estimate of the cost to implement those recommendations, to the house health, human services and elderly affairs committee and senate health and human services committee and the house and senate finance committees.

2 Department of Health and Human Services; Appropriation; Assessment. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, the sum of $100,000 is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for the purpose of conducting the assessment under section 1 of this act. This appropriation is in addition to any other funds appropriated to the department. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

3 Department of Health and Human Services; Division for Children Youth and Families; Classified Positions Established. The following classified positions are hereby established in the department of health and human services, division for children, youth and families:

I. Thirteen child protection social worker I positions, at labor grade 18.

II. Two supervisor IV positions, at labor grade 25.

4 Department of Health and Human Services; Appropriation; Positions. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, the sum of $1,100,000 is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for the purpose of funding the positions established in section 3 of this act. This appropriation is in addition to any other funds appropriated to the department. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

5 Department of Health and Human Services; Appropriation; Foster Care and Adoption Programs and Services. The sum of $1,100,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for the purpose of funding foster care and adoption programs, rate increases, and services pursuant to RSA 170-G:3. This appropriation is in addition to any other funds appropriated to the department. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

1 Department of Health and Human Services; Division for Children, Youth and Families; Assessment to Determine Appropriate Caseload and Workload Standards for Child Protection Staff. The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall conduct an assessment to determine appropriate caseload and/or workload standards for the department's division for children, youth and families' child protection staff that are consistent with the goals of the agency's practice model and that will enable the agency to fulfill its statutory mission to protect children from abuse and neglect. In conducting the assessment, the department may solicit information from experts, community stakeholders, and national leaders, and shall consider caseload trends and the impact of caseloads and workloads on recruitment and retention and the supervision and training of department staff. On or before January 1, 2019, the department shall report the findings of its assessment, along with the department's recommendations for establishing and maintaining appropriate caseload and/or workload standards and the department's estimate of the cost to implement those recommendations, to the house health, human services and elderly affairs committee and senate health and human services committee and the house and senate finance committees.

2 Department of Health and Human Services; Appropriation; Assessment. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, the sum of $100,000 is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for the purpose of conducting the assessment under section 1 of this act. This appropriation is in addition to any other funds appropriated to the department. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

3 Department of Health and Human Services; Division for Children Youth and Families; Classified Positions Established. The following classified positions are hereby established in the department of health and human services, division for children, youth and families:

I. Thirteen child protection social worker I positions, at labor grade 18.

II. Two supervisor IV positions, at labor grade 25.

4 Department of Health and Human Services; Appropriation; Positions. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, the sum of $1,100,000 is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for the purpose of funding the positions established in section 3 of this act. This appropriation is in addition to any other funds appropriated to the department. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

5 Department of Health and Human Services; Appropriation; Foster Care and Adoption Programs and Services. The sum of $1,100,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, is hereby appropriated to the department of health and human services for the purpose of funding foster care and adoption programs, rate increases, and services pursuant to RSA 170-G:3. This appropriation is in addition to any other funds appropriated to the department. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.