This bill establishes a framework for approved agencies to facilitate the voluntary temporary placement of individuals in crisis—specifically infants, children, and pregnant women under 21—into the homes of volunteers. It defines "crisis" as situations such as homelessness, hospitalization, or domestic violence that leave a child or pregnant woman without a safe home. 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 agencies are responsible for overseeing the placements, conducting home studies to assess the suitability of the volunteer's home, and providing ongoing support to the individuals in crisis.

To ensure safety, the bill mandates background checks for prospective volunteers and any adult household members, including checks against the child abuse registry and state and federal criminal history records. The approved agency must maintain confidentiality regarding these results and submit findings to DCF prior to placement. Additionally, the bill amends existing confidentiality laws to allow the disclosure of information from the State's child abuse registry to specific individuals, including physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and prospective volunteers, as well as adults residing in 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