The bill establishes the Department of Children, Youth, and Families Accountability Board, which will replace the current oversight structure of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust. This new board will include legislators, subject matter experts, tribal representatives, and stakeholders with lived experience, ensuring diverse perspectives in monitoring the department's performance. The board is tasked with overseeing the department's progress towards its goals, ensuring accountability in decision-making, and promoting public transparency. It will also have the authority to receive reports, access relevant records, and conduct annual reviews of department contracts to ensure they are performance-based.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing law to clarify the department's responsibilities regarding performance measures and outcomes for children, youth, and families. It emphasizes the need for science-based, outcome-driven services and mandates the department to report on its progress in reducing disparities based on family income, race, and ethnicity. The board is required to convene stakeholder meetings at least twice a year and must issue an annual report to the governor and legislature detailing the department's progress. Key terms, such as "performance-based contract," are defined to emphasize results-oriented contracting tied to measurable outcomes.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 43.216.015