General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7071 proposes significant amendments to the definition and procedures concerning "families with service needs" in Connecticut. The bill repeals the existing definition in section 46b-120 and introduces a new one that encompasses children aged seven to eighteen who have run away, are beyond parental control, engage in immoral conduct, are habitual truants, or have engaged in sexual intercourse under specific conditions. It also eliminates the previous requirement that a petition must have been filed by June 30, 2020, to qualify as a family with service needs. The legislation establishes a new process for parents or guardians to file complaints about their children's behavior, which will be evaluated by a probation officer, and if deemed appropriate, the child and family will be referred to services for at least ninety days.

Additionally, the bill outlines the court's authority to issue summons, assess educational needs, and potentially grant temporary custody if there is a risk of self-injury or running away. It introduces provisions for the court to modify supervision conditions and allows the Commissioner of Children and Families to file motions regarding a child's commitment. Importantly, it ensures that no child adjudicated as a child from a family with service needs can be processed as a delinquent solely for violating a court order. The bill also establishes family support centers to provide comprehensive services aimed at preventing further court involvement, while modifying the handling of juvenile delinquency complaints to allow for nonjudicial dispositions. Overall, Raised Bill No. 7071 seeks to enhance support for at-risk children and streamline the juvenile justice process.

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