OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 6309 (as amended by House “A”)*

AN ACT CONCERNING ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES.

SUMMARY:

This bill makes minor changes to the Department of Developmental Services' (DDS) Birth-to-Three program and several departmental advisory bodies. It also removes DDS' abuse and neglect registry from the sunset review process under which it is scheduled to terminate on July 1, 2010 unless reestablished.

*House Amendment “A” eliminates a requirement for DDS to set statewide rates for Birth-to-Three providers and its ability to arrange for services through means other than contracts. It also reinstates a requirement for DDS to monitor contractors' administrative spending and annually justify expenditures over 20% of the contracted amount.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2009, except for the removal of the DDS abuse and neglect registry from sunset review, which is effective upon passage.

BIRTH-TO-THREE

The bill allows DDS to establish a local interagency coordinating council in each region of the state; under current law, DDS must establish at least one council per region. But the bill removes the definition of region, which currently ties these councils to DDS' three regions; consequently, it is not clear where the councils could be located under the bill. Lastly, it requires these councils to advise DDS rather than the regional Birth-to-Three managers.

It also corrects references to federal laws governing the Birth-to-Three program and repeals several obsolete statutes.

ADVISORY COMMITTEES

The bill allows an appointed member of the Council on Developmental Services who has served the maximum six-year term to continue to serve until a successor is chosen. The council advises the DDS commissioner on state programs and can recommend legislation to the governor and General Assembly.

The bill allows the Office of Protection and Advocacy and Children's Commission executive directors and the child advocate to appoint designees to the Family Support Council. It also removes members' two-term limit. The council helps DDS and other state agencies identify and promote needed services and coordinate their activities.

Finally, the bill removes the Camp Harkness Booster Club representative from the Camp Harkness Advisory Committee. Instead, it installs a representative of a tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation that promotes and supports the camp and its camping programs.

BACKGROUND

Sunset Review

Under the sunset review law, licensing, regulatory, and other state agencies and programs terminate on set dates unless the General Assembly reestablishes them after the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee conducts a performance audit of each. The committee must review the public need for each entity or program according to established criteria and report its recommendations to the legislature for the entity's or program's abolition, reestablishment, modification, or consolidation (CGS § 2c-2b).

COMMITTEE ACTION

Public Health Committee

Joint Favorable Change of Reference

Government Administration and Elections Committee

Joint Favorable