Bill Text: CT SB00981 | 2011 | General Assembly | Comm Sub

Connecticut Senate Bill 981 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: An Act Concerning The Placement Of Young Children In Congregate Care Facilities.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-09 - Favorable Change of Reference, House to Committee on Human Services [SB00981 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2011-SB00981-Comm_Sub.html

General Assembly		*Substitute Bill No. 981*
*January Session, 2011*		_____SB00981KIDHS_030411____

AN ACT CONCERNING THE PLACEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN IN CONGREGATE CARE FACILITIES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2012) (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Commissioner of Children and Families shall not place a child under the age of six, or a sibling group that contains a child under the age of six, in a child care facility, as defined in section 17a-93 of the general statutes.

(b) The Commissioner of Children and Families may place a child under the age of six, or a sibling group containing a child under the age of six, in a child care facility, only if (1) a child care facility is designed for children and their parents, or (2) the commissioner deems it necessary to assess whether the health needs of the child under the age of six are so severe that the child's health needs can only be met in a child care facility. No child under the age of six, nor any sibling group containing a child under the age of six, may remain in a child care facility pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection unless the commissioner, not later than seventy-two hours after such placement, certifies to the court that specific attempts were made to secure a family-based placement for such child or sibling group, or provides evidence to the court that such child's health needs can only be met in a child care facility. If a child under the age of six, or sibling group containing a child under the age of six, is placed in a child care facility pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection and remains in such facility for more than thirty days, the commissioner shall petition the court for an emergency placement review hearing to be held not less than forty-five days after the date of initial placement. The purpose of such hearing shall be to review the efforts made by the commissioner to secure a family-based placement for the child or sibling group and to determine whether continued placement in the child care facility is warranted based on the child's health needs.