House Bill 336 Summary

• Establishes new requirements for placing children in qualified residential treatment programs, including a 30-day assessment by a qualified individual and court approval within 60 days of placement.

• Creates new section 16-1619A requiring assessment reports documenting why a child's needs cannot be met in a foster family home and why a residential treatment program is the least restrictive appropriate setting.

• Requires the Department of Health and Welfare to document ongoing assessments at review and permanency hearings that justify continued placement in qualified residential treatment programs.

• Permits courts to extend foster care eligibility for youth ages 18-21 who were in department custody at age 18, if they meet federal criteria under 42 U.S.C. 675(8)(B)(iv).

• Makes technical corrections and clarifications to definitions of terms including "qualified residential treatment program," "qualified individual," and related provisions governing child protective proceedings.