Substitute Senate Bill No. 1311, also known as Public Act No. 25-116, amends Section 17a-114 of the general statutes to enhance the regulations surrounding the approval and licensing of foster care and adoption services by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Key insertions include the definition of "emergency placement," which allows for the placement of a child with a relative or fictive kin caregiver due to the sudden unavailability of the child's primary caretaker, and the requirement that all prospective adoptive parents must be licensed by the department. The bill mandates criminal history checks for applicants and individuals living in their households, both prior to issuing licenses and during renewals. It also allows for emergency placements with unlicensed relatives or fictive kin caregivers under certain conditions, ensuring that safety standards are maintained.

The bill further introduces provisions for youth who have turned eighteen, allowing them to remain in the care of the commissioner until they turn twenty-one if they meet specific educational or employment-related conditions. It also allows youth who previously declined to remain in care to request reentry before turning twenty-one. Additionally, the bill updates the disclosure of child welfare records, expands information sharing among state agencies, and establishes the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, which outlines the responsibilities of sending and receiving states in the interstate placement of children. Overall, the bill aims to improve the safety and well-being of children in foster care and adoption situations while streamlining processes for caregivers and enhancing collaboration among agencies.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
KID Joint Favorable:
File No. 89:
Public Act No. 25-116: