Bill Text: NJ S1754 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Prohibits DCF from placing children in out-of-State residential child care facilities.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-03-15 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [S1754 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-S1754-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits DCF from placing children in out-of-State residential child care facilities.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the placement of children in out-of-State residential child care facilities and supplementing Title 9 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, after the date of enactment of this act, the Department of Children and Families shall not place a child under its care in an out-of-State residential child care facility. The department shall make every attempt to place a child receiving services in an out-of-State facility on the date of enactment of this act in an alternate in-State facility as soon as an appropriate placement can be made.
b. As used in this section "residential child care facility" or "facility" means any public or private establishment that provides room, board, care, shelter or treatment services on a 24-hour-a-day basis for children under the care of the Department of Children and Families.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits the Department of Children and Families (DCF), following the enactment of this bill, from placing a child under its care in an out-of-State residential child care facility. The bill also provides that DCF shall make every attempt to place a child receiving services in an out-of-State facility on the effective date this bill in an alternate in-State facility as soon as an appropriate placement can be made.
Currently, before a child is placed in an out-of-State residential facility or program, DCF is required to conduct an evaluation and inspection of the facility, including an on-site visit, before the child is placed at the facility.
As used in the bill, "residential child care facility" means any public or private establishment that provides room, board, care, shelter or treatment services on a 24-hour-a-day basis for children under the care of DCF.
