OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 5915

AN ACT CONCERNING "STUCK KIDS".

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to review annually the cases of all children and youth in DCF care during the previous calendar year and report the number and age of those:

1. living in a psychiatric hospital or out-of-state treatment center, their average length of stay, the number who have overstayed their estimated placement time, and an analysis of the reasons for the out-of-state placements and overstays;

2. who have run away or are homeless, the number of days each has been a runaway or homeless, and an analysis of the trends relating to runaways and homelessness;

3. who have a permanency plan of another planned permanency living arrangement and an analysis of the trends relating to permanency plans; and

4. who have refused DCF services and an analysis of the trends relating to participation in services.

The first report is due by February 1, 2010 and must be sent to Children's and Human Services committees.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009

COMMITTEE ACTION

Select Committee on Children

Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference

Yea

11

Nay

0

(03/03/2009)

Human Services Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute

Yea

19

Nay

0

(03/19/2009)