HB 5332 (Public Act No. 18-111) Summary

• Requires the Department of Children and Families to develop strategies to identify and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in child welfare practices, including referrals, substantiations, removals, and placements.

• Mandates the department establish a standardized data reporting system to collect and track information on service utilization by race and ethnicity at key decision points.

• Requires the Commissioner to submit annual reports to the General Assembly detailing racial and ethnic utilization of department services, assessment of trends, and recommendations for ensuring equitable access.

• Directs development of guidelines by January 1, 2019, for safe care of newborns exhibiting symptoms of prenatal substance exposure or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, including written plans of safe care.

• Expands authority of the Chief State's Attorney to access child welfare records for investigations and prosecutions involving fraud in receipt of public or private benefits.