SB 2676 Summary

• Establishes a dual-track child protective response system allowing the Department of Children and Family Services to provide family-needs-assistance referrals for non-abuse calls or family-centered practice responses without investigations when child is safe but at risk.

• Requires safety assessments within 48 hours of initial contact using a standardized instrument to determine if a child is safe or unsafe, with child protective investigations initiated only when child deemed unsafe.

• Shortens case plan compliance period from 12 months to 9 months and permanency hearing timelines from 12 months to 9 months after child removal or adjudication of dependency.

• Expands criminal background checks to include juvenile delinquency records and out-of-state criminal history checks for persons age 12 and older before child placement.

• Creates Child Welfare Professionals Taskforce to review education and qualifications of child welfare staff and Child Safety Assessment Workgroup to develop dual-track response system, with reports due to Legislature by specified dates.