The bill amends Section 42-72-5 of the General Laws, focusing on the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and its role in ensuring children's welfare. It introduces new requirements for the department to perform a comprehensive needs assessment every two years, with the first due by March 31, 2024, to evaluate the effectiveness of its child welfare, juvenile justice, and children's behavioral health services. An advisory committee will be established to guide these assessments, which must be conducted by an in-state academic institution, consulting firm, or independent third party. The results are to be made public and reported to various government officials. The bill maintains the department's responsibilities, such as licensing care facilities, recruiting community resources, and setting staff training requirements.

Additionally, the bill outlines the DCYF's duties in reducing long-term foster care, providing sexual abuse education, setting adoption service fees, and ensuring education for children in state care. It defines criteria for children considered seriously emotionally disturbed or with functional developmental disabilities, including autism, and excludes these services from the Department of Human Services' caseload estimates while requiring separate accounting. The bill also emphasizes the need for transition planning for children aging out of services and collaboration with other agencies. It includes provisions for the DCYF to manage funds for foster care independence and educational programs, and to conduct criminal record checks for individuals involved with foster care, adoption, and employment within the DCYF. Specific deletions from the current law are noted, but their content is not detailed. The act will be effective upon passage.

Statutes affected:
1011  SUB A: 42-72-5
1011: 42-72-5