HB 5801 Summary

• Creates the Foster Care Improvement Commission within the Department of Health and Human Services with 11 members representing the judicial branch (3), executive branch (4), and legislative branch (4).

• Commission shall review current data and laws for child welfare services, research best practices from other states aligned with the 7 national child welfare outcomes, and identify gaps and barriers in Michigan's foster care system.

• Commission must develop recommendations for legislative, administrative, and judicial action to improve the child welfare system and accomplish commitments under the Dwayne B. v Whitmer settlement plan, with focus on primary prevention, racial equity, kinship care, and support for youth aging out of foster care.

• Commission shall serve as a clearinghouse for data from child welfare-related agencies and boards, publish annual public reports, and coordinate with the Office of the Children's Ombudsman on child welfare reform.

• Creates the Children's Services Commission Fund in the state treasury to receive and invest money for commission operations, with the Department of Health and Human Services as administrator; act takes immediate effect.