This bill establishes a framework for approved agencies to facilitate the voluntary temporary placement of individuals in crisis, including infants, children, parents under 21 with infants, and pregnant women under 21, into the homes of volunteers. It defines "crisis" as a temporary situation that may involve homelessness, hospitalization, substance abuse, mental health issues, domestic violence, or unemployment. Approved agencies, which are nonprofit organizations sanctioned by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for adoption placements, must enter into contracts with DCF before facilitating these placements. The bill mandates that these agencies conduct home studies to assess the suitability of prospective volunteers and their households, including background checks for child abuse and criminal history.

The bill introduces new requirements for background checks, stating that each prospective volunteer and any adult residing in their home must undergo checks of the child abuse registry and submit to state and federal criminal history record checks. The approved agency is responsible for maintaining confidentiality regarding the results of these checks and must forward their findings to DCF before any placement occurs. Additionally, the bill amends existing confidentiality laws to allow the disclosure of information from the State's child abuse registry to prospective volunteers and adult residents of the home. The Commissioner of Children and Families is tasked with adopting regulations to implement the provisions of this act, which will take effect seven months after enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9:6-8.10