SB 184 Summary

• Creates a new statutory classification "in need of special services" for children or youth whose home cannot provide specialized care for their physical, emotional, or mental condition.

• Removes the previous classification of "uncared for" that included this provision and establishes it as a separate category effective October 1, 2016.

• Applies the new classification throughout Connecticut's child welfare statutes, including procedures for petitions, court jurisdiction, guardianship, termination of parental rights, and emancipation.

• Maintains all existing protections and procedures for children in this category, including rights to counsel, investigation requirements, and standards for court determinations regarding the child's best interests.

• Updates references across multiple state statutes (sections 46b, 17a, 31, and 45a) to incorporate the new "in need of special services" definition consistently throughout the child welfare system.