Substitute Senate Bill No. 155 mandates the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to submit an annual report to the General Assembly starting October 15, 2027, detailing its activities and services from the previous fiscal year. This report will include data on service utilization by race and ethnicity, sibling visitation compliance, child abuse statistics, and information on facilities and programs. The bill also amends Section 17a-22m, requiring the Commissioners of Children and Families, Social Services, and Mental Health and Addiction Services to evaluate the Behavioral Health Partnership and submit an annual report starting October 1, 2026, which will now include estimated cost savings from the partnership's initiatives. The bill introduces several deletions from current law, including the removal of specific reporting requirements and the obligation to report missing or abducted children to the FBI, streamlining the reporting process while focusing on child welfare.

Additionally, the bill establishes a framework for youth service bureaus to provide community-based services for troubled youths and emphasizes the importance of maintaining sibling relationships for children in DCF custody. It requires that children have visitation rights with their siblings unless otherwise ordered by the court and outlines conditions for communication during public health emergencies. The bill also creates a Mental and Behavioral Health Treatment Fund to assist families with treatment costs and modifies the response framework for child abuse reports, allowing for a family assessment response program. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the efficiency of DCF's reporting and operations while ensuring the safety and well-being of children in the welfare system.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-19m
KID Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-19m, 4-68y
File No. 5: 10-19m, 4-68y