House Bill No. 5260, also known as File No. 126, is a legislative proposal that mandates the Commissioner of Children and Families to submit a report by January 1, 2025, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly that oversees matters related to children. This report is to include an evaluation of short-term assessment and respite group homes operated or licensed by the Department of Children and Families. The evaluation is to focus on four key areas: the efficacy of these homes in providing care to children with significant behavioral health treatment needs, the department's ability to retain qualified staff, the provision of specialized training for staff, and the availability of structured pro-social, therapeutic, and clinical services within these homes.

The bill, identified by the insertion "HB5260 File No. 126," is set to take effect immediately upon passage and introduces a new section to the existing law. The fiscal impact statement attached to the bill indicates that there will be no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities, as it is expected that the department staff already possess the necessary expertise to conduct and submit the required report. The bill received a joint favorable vote of 18 to 0 from the Committee on Children on March 12, 2024.