SB0193 Summary

• Requires the Department to review a random sample of at least 5% of child abuse and neglect reports intended to be classified as "unfounded" involving children not of compulsory school age before finalizing the unfounded classification.

• Requires the Department to review a random sample of at least 5% of indicated reports involving children not of compulsory school age where no services case is opened, conducted by an area administrator outside the investigator's supervisory chain within 15 days of the final finding.

• Prohibits any incentives in contracts or performance reviews that discourage providing family preservation services after an indicated report or encourage referring cases for Juvenile Court petitions; requires disputes between private agencies and the Department over petition referrals to be escalated to the Deputy Director of Child Protection.

• Mandates that decisions on family preservation services or Juvenile Court petitions be based solely on the child's health, safety, and best interests and applicable law.

• Requires the Department to report to the General Assembly 90 days after the law's effective date and thereafter on December 1 and June 1 annually, documenting review findings and recommendations for systemic reforms.