SB 484 Summary

• Requires psychotropic medications in group homes to be administered only per physician's written directions and juvenile court authorization, with facilities maintaining detailed medication logs and court orders in child records.

• Mandates the Department of Social Services compile psychotropic medication data from group homes using specified HEDIS measures and post statewide aggregate summaries on its website annually.

• Requires the department to establish a methodology by July 1, 2016 to identify group homes with high psychotropic drug utilization, then conduct annual inspections of flagged facilities and require corrective action plans addressing identified risks.

• Extends the deadline from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2017 for developing performance standards requiring group homes to implement alternative programs and services to minimize law enforcement contacts and delinquency petitions.

• Exempts runaway and homeless youth shelters from these psychotropic medication requirements and specifies no state reimbursement is required for local compliance.