The House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee heard HB 1164 authored by Rep. Cash on reporting of child abuse or neglect. The bill provides that staff members of a medical institution, a medical facility, or any other health care facility have a duty to report child abuse within two hours to both the department of child services (DCS) and the local law enforcement … [Read more...] about Reporting of child abuse or neglect
Department of Child Services
Adult protective services
The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard SB 109 on adult protective services authored by Sen. Crider. The bill amends who the division of aging can contract with to provide adult protective services. Currently, the statute allows a contract with: The bill permits DCS to contract with: DCS would no longer be able to contract with a governmental entity if a … [Read more...] about Adult protective services
DCS technical changes and adoption subsidies
The House Family, Children & Human Affairs Committee heard HB 1064 on DCS technical changes and adoption subsidiesauthored by Rep. DeVon. The bill removes language regarding medical passports, relocates the definition of "foster youth" and defines "licensed kinship caregiver". The bill further provides that DCS shall not make an out-of-home placement if the person has been … [Read more...] about DCS technical changes and adoption subsidies
Child advocacy centers
The House Family, Children & Human Affairs Committee heard HB 1123 on child advocacy centersauthored by Rep. DeVon. The bill provides that DCS may use a child advocacy center to coordinate a multidisciplinary team for responding to reports involving child abuse or neglect. The bill requires the child advocacy center to: The bill provides the child advocacy center's … [Read more...] about Child advocacy centers
State Budget – §300
H.E.A. 1001, P.L. 201 Effective: May 4, 2023 §300 - Urges study, during the 2023 legislative interim, of DCS contracting with private attorneys to perform legal services and provide representation in CHINS, termination of parental rights and delinquency cases instead of employing staff attorneys within DCS. Read the bill at: … [Read more...] about State Budget – §300