HB 2217 Summary

• Establishes an independent oversight committee on residential care facilities serving migrant children, with staff support provided by the Department of Health Services.

• Committee membership includes two state senators and two house representatives (one from each party), the board of fingerprinting chairperson, and eleven governor-appointed members representing legal services, child advocacy, counseling, social work, education, psychology, law enforcement, immigration services, pediatrics, foster care, and consulate offices.

• Committee shall review facility records including employee and complaint records, recommend improvements to services (medical care, counseling, education, legal representation, recreation), and make recommendations to the director of health services and legislature regarding laws and policies protecting children's rights.

• Committee must issue reports to state leadership with recommendations on or before December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023, with access to facility records and tours subject to federal law restrictions on personally identifiable information.

• Committee automatically repeals on June 30, 2024; governor-appointed members receive expense reimbursement but no compensation.