Revision: April 10, 2024, 11:48 a.m.
Rep. Wallner, Merr. 19
April 10, 2024
2024-1472h
05/08
Floor Amendment to HB 1573-FN
Amend the bill by inserting after section 2 the following and renumbering the original section 3 to read as 4:
3 Oversight of Children in Residential Placements; Reporting Requirement. The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall submit 3 quarterly reports to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the chairpersons of the house and senate fiscal committees, the oversight committee on health and human services, and the office of the child advocate regarding implementation of this act and state oversight of children in residential placements. The reporting period shall begin July 1, 2024, and reports shall be filed October 1, 2024, January 1, 2025, and April 1, 2025. Each report shall describe in detail, for the quarter:
I. How the department has spent the funds appropriated in section 2 of this act, by expenditure category, such as staffing (by position type) and travel expenses, both in-state and out-of-state.
II. The number of children visited, both in-state and out-of-state.
III. The number of facilities visited, both in-state and out-of-state.
IV. The number of children in placements outside of New England and whether the director of the division for children, youth, and families approved any new placements outside of New England during the last quarter.
V. Actions, policies, and practices undertaken to expand and enhance certification requirements and the oversight of residential placements.
VI. Coordination between the department and the office of the child advocate to improve caseworker visits with children placed by the state in residential settings, including through regular meetings and coordinated visits.
VII. Any additional information regarding implementation and assessment of the policies in section 1 regarding oversight of children in residential placements.
2024-1472h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill makes an appropriation to the department of health and human services to enhance oversight of children in court-ordered, residential placements. The bill also directs the department of health and human services to submit a quarterly report to the legislature and the office of the child advocate regarding implementation of the act and state oversight of children in residential placements.