This bill establishes a framework for approved agencies to facilitate the voluntary temporary placement of individuals in crisis, specifically targeting infants, children, and pregnant women under 21. It defines "crisis" as situations such as homelessness, hospitalization, or domestic violence that leave these individuals without a safe home. Approved agencies, which are nonprofit organizations sanctioned by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), must enter into contracts with DCF before facilitating these placements. They are responsible for overseeing the placements, conducting home studies to assess the suitability of volunteers, and ensuring that necessary background checks, including child abuse registry checks and criminal history record checks for all household members aged 18 and older, are completed.

The bill also includes provisions for maintaining the confidentiality of records related to child abuse and neglect while allowing specific disclosures to authorized entities, including prospective volunteers and their household members. Approved agencies must provide oversight through weekly visits and assist parents or pregnant women in restoring stability in their lives. Additionally, the bill amends existing confidentiality laws to permit the disclosure of information from the State's child abuse registry to prospective volunteers and adult residents of the home seeking to provide temporary housing. 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