SB 697 Summary

• Establishes the "Family Support Accountability Act" creating standards and definitions for publicly funded, standards-based home visiting programs serving families with young children.

• Requires state departments including the Department of Health and Department of Education to provide home visiting services through face-to-face visits by specially trained people delivering parenting education and family support.

• Mandates home visiting programs focus on achieving at least two of six objectives including improved health outcomes, reduced child welfare entry, enhanced parenting skills, increased parental self-sufficiency, school readiness, and child development improvements.

• Requires collaboration with the State Early Childhood Advisory Council to develop an outcomes measurement plan and submit it by January 1, 2016, and every 5 years thereafter; mandates annual reports beginning December 1, 2017 on program outcomes, costs, families served, and demographics.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2015; authorizes State Board of Health and State Board of Education to promulgate necessary rules for implementation.