The bill proposes amendments to the General Laws concerning the merit system and the Department of Administration's responsibilities. It changes the duration of employment lists to a maximum of two years, removing the option for extension by the personnel administrator. The certification and appointment process is also revised, requiring all names on the employment list to be certified and allowing simultaneous contact of multiple eligibles for multiple vacancies. The bill removes the requirement for the personnel administrator to certify additional names for each extra vacancy. It also mandates the Department of Administration to provide quarterly social worker tests, maintain an adequate hiring list for these positions, and prepare quarterly and annual reports on property leases and rentals by state or quasi-state agencies. The bill includes provisions for the administration of a health benefit exchange and outlines the powers and activities of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, including mobilizing resources for children's services and cooperating with law enforcement in cases of sexual assault on minors. The department must implement a hiring process by October 1, 2023.

Additionally, the bill details the Department of Children, Youth, and Families' role in providing services for children, especially those who are abused, neglected, or have special needs. It covers a range of functions from emergency treatment to licensing residential programs and administering federal grants. The department is also responsible for the education and mental health services of children in state care, defining "seriously emotionally disturbed child" and "functional developmental disability," and requiring community contributions for educational services. The bill addresses the care and services for individuals with severe, chronic disabilities, specifying the need for special care and outlining funding provisions. It includes transition planning for children receiving services, a comprehensive continuum of care, and the administration of funds under various programs. The bill extends the deadline for establishing a hiring process for social caseworkers or child protective investigators to March 15, 2026, and requires an interim report by March 15, 2024. The act will take effect upon passage. There are no specific insertions or deletions from the current law mentioned in the provided text.

Statutes affected:
8096: 42-11-2, 42-72-5