The bill amends Section 42-72-5 of the General Laws, focusing on the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) in Rhode Island. It reinforces the department's role in ensuring children's well-being and mandates cooperation with law enforcement in cases of sexual assault on minors. The bill introduces a new requirement for the department to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of its services every five years, with the first assessment due by March 31, 2026. This assessment is to be carried out by a qualified entity and overseen by an advisory committee. The results are to be made public and reported to state officials. The bill also modifies existing duties of the department, such as licensing group homes and standardizing protective services, with some language being deleted and other provisions being inserted, including the establishment of a hiring process to be implemented by October 1, 2023.

Furthermore, the bill details the DCYF's responsibilities in managing programs for children with serious emotional disturbances or functional developmental disabilities, including program development and funding coordination. It extends services to individuals up to 21 years old who were receiving services before turning 18 and requires transition planning for those who may need services after turning 21. The bill also outlines a comprehensive continuum of care for children and mandates a new hiring process for social caseworkers and child protective investigators, with an interim report on the hiring process due by March 15, 2024. The act will be effective immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7823: 42-72-5