The bill amends Section 42-72-5 of the General Laws concerning the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) by introducing a new section titled "Powers and scope of activities." This section outlines the department's responsibilities, including the requirement to notify state and local police when investigating sexual assault complaints involving minors and mandates a new hiring process to be implemented by October 1, 2023. The bill emphasizes the department's advocacy role for children's needs and grants the director various powers, such as establishing administrative divisions and coordinating community resources. Additionally, it specifies tasks for the department, including developing service plans for drug-exposed infants and ensuring educational services for children in state-operated residences.

The bill also revises the hiring process for social caseworkers and child protective investigators, allowing one individual to fulfill interview requirements instead of two, and mandates the department of administration to provide scoring for civil service exams within five business days. It establishes criteria for applicant assessment during interviews and requires a report on the hiring process by March 15, 2024. Notably, the bill deletes outdated legal language to streamline operations and introduces a public policy stating that foster children in care should be treated equally to those adopted or placed in guardianship, ensuring their eligibility for all DCYF programs. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5347: 42-72-5