BILL NUMBER: S8791
SPONSOR: BRISPORT
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to requiring local
social services districts to provide luggage to children in foster care
 
PURPOSE:
This chapter amendment clarifies provisions of L.2025, C.684.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This legislation amends the underlying chapter by removing detailed
definitions, eligibility, and reporting requirements for foster chil-
dren's luggage; adding a clear definition of "luggage"; shifting respon-
sibility for supplying and replacing luggage to local social services;
and making expenditures for luggage eligible for state reimbursement.
Subdivision 1 amends the underlying chapter by removing definitions
related to luggage for children in foster care and adding a definition
of "luggage" as a durable, reusable container designed to hold personal
belongings, excluding disposable bags, trash bags, and cardboard boxes.
Subdivision 2 amends the underlying chapter by removing previous eligi-
bility criteria that specified which foster youth qualify to receive
luggage. It shifts responsibility for providing luggage from the Office
of Children and Family Services to local social services districts.
Local districts are authorized to replace lost, stolen, or damaged
luggage at their discretion.
Subdivision 3 amends the underlying chapter, clarifying that any luggage
provided under this section may not be reclaimed or retained by the
Office of Children and Family Services, local social services districts,
voluntary agencies, or foster parents.
Lastly, subdivision 4 amends the underlying chapter to specify that
eligible expenditures for luggage supplied under this section are
subject to state reimbursement under the foster care block grant, in
accordance with applicable law. Previously required reporting require-
ments have been removed.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation is a negotiated change to the underlying chapter.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Chapter amendment to Chapter 684 of the Laws of 2025.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a
chapter of the laws of 2025 amending the social services law relating to
requiring the office of children and family services to provide luggage
to youth in foster care, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S.
3781 and A. 5434, takes effect.