CHAPTER 319
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

      Sec. 17a-2. (Formerly Sec. 17-411). Composition of department. Name change. (a) There shall be a Department of Children and Families which shall be a single budgeted agency consisting of the institutions, facilities and programs existing within the department, any programs and facilities transferred to the department, and such other institutions, facilities and programs as may hereafter be established by or transferred to the department by the General Assembly.

      (b) Said department shall constitute a successor department to the Department of Children and Youth Services, for the purposes of sections 2c-2b, 4-5, 4-38c, 4-60i, 4-77a, 4-165b, 4a-11b, 4a-12, 4a-16, 5-259, 7-127c, 8-206d, 10-8a, 10-15d, 10-76d, 10-76h, 10-76i, 10-76w, 10-76g, 10-94g, 10-253, 17-86a, 17-294, 17-409, 17-437, 17-572, 17-578, 17-579, 17-585, 17a-1 to 17a-89, inclusive, 17a-90 to 17a-209, inclusive, 17a-218, 17a-277, 17a-450, 17a-458, 17a-474, 17a-560, 17a-511, 17a-634, 17a-646, 17a-659, 18-69, 18-69a, 18-87, 19a-78, 19a-125, 19a-216, 20-14i, 20-14j, 31-23, 31-306a, 38a-514, 45a-591 to 45a-705, inclusive, 45a-706 to 45a-770, inclusive, 46a-28, 46a-126, 46b-15 to 46b-19, inclusive, 46b-120 to 46b-159, inclusive, 54-56d, 54-142k, 54-199, 54-203 and in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d and 4-39.

      (c) Whenever the words "Commissioner of Children and Youth Services", "Department of Children and Youth Services", or "Council on Children and Youth Services" are used in sections 2c-2b, 4-5, 4-38c, 4-60i, 4-77a, 4-165b, 4a-11b, 4a-12, 4a-16, 5-259, 7-127c, 8-206d, 10-8a, 10-15d, 10-76d, 10-76h, 10-76i, 10-76w, 10-94g, 10-253, 17-86a, 17-294, 17-409, 17-437, 17-572, 17-578, 17-579, 17-585, 17a-1 to 17a-89, inclusive, 17a-90 to 17a-209, inclusive, 17a-218, 17a-277, 17a-450, 17a-458, 17a-474, 17a-511, 17a-634, 17a-646, 17a-659, 18-69, 18-69a, 18-87, 19a-78, 19a-125, 19a-216, 20-14i, 20-14j, 31-23, 31-306a, 38a-514, 45a-591 to 45a-705, inclusive, 45a-706 to 45a-770, inclusive, 46a-28, 46a-126, 46b-15 to 46b-19, inclusive, 46b-120 to 46b-159, inclusive, 54-56d, 54-142k, 54-199, 54-203, the words "Commissioner of Children and Families", "Department of Children and Families", and "Council on Children and Families" shall be substituted respectively in lieu thereof.

      (1969, P.A. 664, S. 1; P.A. 75-524, S. 2, 30; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; P.A. 07-148, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 75-524 replaced provision that department consists of Long Lane School, Connecticut School for Boys and other institutions, facilities, divisions, etc. "as the department shall hereafter establish" with provisions that institutions, etc. existing in, transferred to or established by department are within its jurisdiction; Sec. 17-411 transferred to Sec. 17a-2 in 1991; P.A. 93-91 changed the name of the department of, and council on, children and youth services to the department of, and council on, children and families, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 07-148 made a technical change in Subsec. (a) and deleted references to repealed Sec. 17a-463 in Subsecs. (b) and (c).

      Sec. 17a-4a. Children's Behavioral Health Advisory Committee. Membership. Reports. (a) There is established a Children's Behavioral Health Advisory Committee to the State Advisory Council on Children and Families which shall promote and enhance the provision of behavioral health services for all children in this state.

      (b) The Children's Behavioral Health Advisory Committee shall be composed of the following ex-officio voting members: (1) The Commissioner of Children and Families or the commissioner's designee; (2) the Commissioner of Social Services or the commissioner's designee; (3) the Executive Director of the Children's Health Council or said director's designee; (4) the Chief Court Administrator or said administrator's designee; (5) the Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee; (6) the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services or the commissioner's designee; (7) the Commissioner of Developmental Services or the commissioner's designee; (8) the executive director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities or the director's designee; and the following public members: (A) Two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a parent of a child who receives behavioral health services and one of whom shall be a provider of behavioral health services; (B) six members, one of whom shall be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one of whom shall be appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate and one of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and all of whom shall be knowledgeable on issues relative to children in need of behavioral health services and family supports; and (C) sixteen members appointed by the chairperson of the State Advisory Council on Children and Families. The membership of the advisory committee shall fairly and adequately represent parents of children who have a serious emotional disturbance. At least fifty-one per cent of the members of the advisory committee shall be persons who are parents or relatives of a child who has or had a serious emotional disturbance or persons who had a serious emotional disturbance as children and no more than half the members of the committee shall be persons who receive income from a private practice or any public or private agency that delivers behavioral health services.

      (c) All appointments to the advisory committee shall be made no later than sixty days after July 1, 2000. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority. Members shall serve two-year terms and no public member shall serve for more than two consecutive terms.

      (d) The advisory committee shall elect two cochairpersons from among its members, one of whom shall be the parent of a child with a serious emotional disturbance. The advisory committee shall meet at least bimonthly. Members of the advisory committee shall serve without compensation, except for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

      (e) Not later than October first of each year, the advisory committee shall submit a status report on local systems of care and practice standards for state-funded behavioral health programs to the State Advisory Council on Children and Families.

      (f) Not later than October first of each odd-numbered year, the advisory committee shall submit recommendations concerning the provision of behavioral health services for all children in the state to the State Advisory Council on Children and Families. The recommendations shall address, but shall not be limited to, the following: (1) The target population for children with behavioral health needs, and assessment and benefit options for children with such needs; (2) the appropriateness and quality of care for children with behavioral health needs; (3) the coordination of behavioral health services provided under the HUSKY Plan with services provided by other publicly-funded programs; (4) performance standards for preventive services, family supports and emergency service training programs; (5) assessments of community-based and residential care programs; (6) outcome measurements by reviewing provider practice; and (7) a medication protocol and standards for the monitoring of medication and after-care programs.

      (P.A. 00-188, S. 2, 5; P.A. 01-19, S. 1, 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 51, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 93, 129, 131; P.A. 03-19, S. 30; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(b).)

      History: P.A. 00-188 effective July 1, 2000; P.A. 01-19, effective May 15, 2001, and June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, effective July 1, 2001, both amended Subsec. (b) to add executive director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities or designee as a committee member; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 amended Subsec. (b) to require that the seven state agency heads be ex-officio voting members, to require that all of the appointed members be public members, substituting Subparas. designators (A) to (C) for Subdivs. (8) to (10), to increase, from 50% to 51%, the number of advisory committee members who shall be parents or relatives of a child who has or had a serious emotional disturbance or persons who had a serious emotional disturbance as a child, and to require that no more than half the members be persons who receive income from a private practice or any public or private agency that delivers behavioral health services, amended Subsec. (c) to prohibit public members from serving for more than two consecutive terms, and amended Subsec. (d) to allow advisory committee members to receive necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 revised effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 but without affecting this section; P.A. 03-19 made technical changes in Subsec. (b), effective May 12, 2003; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 "Commissioner of Mental Retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Commissioner of Developmental Services", effective October 1, 2007.

      Sec. 17a-11. (Formerly Sec. 17-419). Voluntary admission. Termination of admission. Permanency plan. Review of plan by probate court. Appeals. Regulations. Plan for care and treatment of persons eighteen years of age or older. (a) The commissioner may, in the commissioner's discretion, admit to the department on a voluntary basis any child or youth who, in the commissioner's opinion, could benefit from any of the services offered or administered by, or under contract with, or otherwise available to, the department. Application for voluntary admission shall be made in writing by the parent or guardian of a child under fourteen years of age or by such person himself or herself if he or she is a child fourteen years of age or older or a youth.

      (b) A child or youth voluntarily admitted to the department shall be deemed to be within the care of the commissioner until such admission is terminated. The commissioner shall terminate the admission of any child or youth voluntarily admitted to the department within ten days after receipt of a written request for termination from a parent or guardian of any child under fourteen years of age or from a child if such child is fourteen years of age or older, or youth, unless prior to the expiration of that time the commissioner has sought and received from the Superior Court an order of temporary custody as provided by law. The commissioner may terminate the admission of any child or youth voluntarily admitted to the department after giving reasonable notice in writing to the parent or guardian of any child under fourteen years of age and to a child fourteen years of age or older, and to any youth. Any child or youth admitted voluntarily to the department may be placed in, or transferred to, any resource, facility or institution within the department or available to the commissioner except the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, provided the commissioner shall give written notice to such child or youth and to the parent or guardian of the child of the commissioner's intention to make a transfer at least ten days prior to any actual transfer, unless written notice is waived by those entitled to receive it, or unless an emergency commitment of such child or youth is made pursuant to section 17a-502.

      (c) Not more than one hundred twenty days after admitting a child or youth on a voluntary basis, the department shall petition the probate court for the district in which a parent or guardian of the child or youth resides for a determination as to whether continuation in care is in the child's or youth's best interest and, if so, whether there is an appropriate case service or permanency plan. A case service plan shall be required for all children and youths receiving services voluntarily from the department who are not in an out-of-home placement. A permanency plan shall be required for all children and youths voluntarily admitted to the department and placed by the department in a foster home licensed pursuant to section 17a-114 or a facility licensed pursuant to section 17a-145 or 17a-154. Upon receipt of such application, the court shall set a time and place for hearing to be held within thirty days of receipt of the application, unless continued by the court for cause shown. The court shall order notice of the hearing to be given by first class mail at least five days prior to the hearing to the Commissioner of Children and Families, and by first class mail at least five days prior to the hearing to the parents or guardian of the child and the minor, if over twelve years of age. If the whereabouts of the parent or guardian are unknown, or if delivery cannot reasonably be effected, then notice shall be ordered to be given by publication. In making its determination, the court shall consider the items specified in subsection (d) of this section. The court shall possess continuing jurisdiction in proceedings under this section.

      (d) (1) Ten months after admitting a child or youth on a voluntary basis and annually thereafter if the child or youth remains in the custody of the commissioner and remains placed in a foster home licensed pursuant to section 17a-114 or a facility licensed pursuant to section 17a-145 or 17a-154, the commissioner shall file a motion for review of a permanency plan. A hearing on such motion shall be held not later than thirty days after the filing of such motion. The court shall provide notice to the child or youth and such child's or youth's parent or guardian of the time and place of the hearing on such motion not less than ten days prior to the date of such hearing.

      (2) At a permanency hearing held in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, the court shall approve a permanency plan that is in the best interests of the child or youth and takes into consideration the child's or youth's need for permanency. The health and safety of the child or youth shall be of paramount concern in formulating such plan. At such hearing, the court shall consider among other things: (A) The appropriateness of the department's plan for service to the child or youth and his or her family; (B) the treatment and support services that have been offered and provided to the child or youth to strengthen and reunite the family; (C) if return home is not likely for the child or youth, the efforts that have been made or should be made to evaluate and plan for other modes of care; and (D) any further efforts which have been or will be made to promote the best interests of the child or youth.

      (3) The permanency plan pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection may include the goal of (A) placement of the child or youth with the parent or guardian, (B) transfer of guardianship, (C) long-term foster care with a relative licensed as a foster parent or certified as a relative caregiver, (D) termination of parental rights and adoption, or (E) such other planned permanent living arrangement ordered by the court provided the commissioner has documented a compelling reason why it would not be in the best interest of the child or youth for the permanency plan to include the goals in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, of this subdivision. Such other planned permanent living arrangement may include, but not be limited to, placement of a child or youth in an independent living program or long-term foster care with an identified foster parent.

      (4) At a permanency hearing, the court shall review the status of the child or youth and the progress being made to implement the permanency plan, determine a timetable for attaining the permanency prescribed by the plan and determine whether the commissioner has made reasonable efforts to achieve the permanency plan. At the conclusion of the hearing, the court may: (A) Direct that the services being provided, or the placement of the child or youth and reunification efforts, be continued if the court, after hearing, determines that continuation of the child or youth in services or placement is in the child's or youth's best interests, or (B) direct that the child's or youth's services or placement be modified to reflect the child's or youth's best interest.

      (e) The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 describing the documentation required for voluntary admission and for informal administrative case review, upon request, of any denial of an application for voluntary admission.

      (f) Any person aggrieved by a decision of the commissioner denying voluntary services may appeal such decision through an administrative hearing held pursuant to chapter 54.

      (g) Notwithstanding any provision of sections 17a-1 to 17a-26, inclusive, and 17a-28 to 17a-49, inclusive, any person already under the care and supervision of the Commissioner of Children and Families who has passed such person's eighteenth birthday but has not yet reached such person's twenty-first birthday may be permitted to remain voluntarily under the supervision of the commissioner, provided the commissioner, in the commissioner's discretion, determines that such person would benefit from further care and support from the Department of Children and Families. Any person remaining voluntarily under the supervision of the commissioner pursuant to this subsection shall be entitled to a written plan for care and treatment, and review of such plan, in accordance with section 17a-15.

      (h) Upon motion of any interested party in a Probate Court proceeding under this section, the probate court of record may transfer the file for cause shown to a probate court for a district other than the district in which the initial or permanency hearing was held. The file shall be transferred by the probate court of record making copies of all recorded documents in the court file, certifying each of them, and delivering the certified copies to the probate court to which the matter is transferred.

      (1969, P.A. 664, S. 12; 1971, P.A. 265; P.A. 73-69, S. 1, 2; P.A. 75-524, S. 8, 30; P.A. 77-604, S. 13, 84; P.A. 78-238; 78-280, S. 29, 127; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; P.A. 97-272, S. 5; P.A. 98-52, S. 9; P.A. 99-26, S. 18, 39; P.A. 00-76, S. 3; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7, S. 37; P.A. 03-278, S. 51, 52; P.A. 05-246, S. 3; P.A. 06-102, S. 2; 06-196, S. 108; P.A. 07-184, S. 6.)

      History: 1971 act specified admission in residential facilities, provided that community services may be offered to those not committed or voluntarily admitted and allowed person 14 or older to apply himself, deleting reference to his "consent in writing"; P.A. 73-69 included admission to facilities "under contract with, or otherwise available to" department; P.A. 75-524 divided section into subsections, deleted provision re community services, clarified who is to make application, deleted provision re two-year limit and extension of admission, clarified termination procedure for those voluntarily admitted, added proviso re notice of intent to transfer voluntarily admitted child or youth and added Subsec. (c); P.A. 77-604 made technical correction; P.A. 78-238 added Subsec. (d); P.A. 78-280 replaced juvenile court with superior court in Subsec. (b); Sec. 17-419 transferred to Sec. 17a-11 in 1991; P.A. 93-91 substituted commissioner and department of children and families for commissioner and department of children and youth services, effective July 1, 1993 (Revisor's note: The words "the department of" in the phrase "commissioner of the department of children and youth services" were deleted editorially by the Revisors to conform with customary statutory usage and the reference in Subsec. (d) to Sec. 17a-51 was deleted editorially by the Revisors to reflect the repeal of that section by P.A. 93-216, S. 8); P.A. 97-272 inserted new Subsecs. (c) re petition to Probate Court for determination if care is in child's best interest, (d) re dispositional hearing on status of child and (f) re appeal, made technical changes and relettered the section accordingly; P.A. 98-52 amended Subsec. (c) adding "for the district in which a parent or guardian of the child or youth resides", and providing that notice to Commissioner of Children and Families be by regular mail and by certified mail, return receipt requested, to parents or guardian, amended Subsec. (d) adding "for the district in which a parent or guardian of child or youth resides" and added Subsec. (h) re transfer of file for cause shown to other probate court; P.A. 99-26 amended Subsec. (b) to replace "Long Lane School" with "the Connecticut Juvenile Training School", effective upon the filing with the Governor and the General Assembly of written certification by the Commissioner of Children and Families that the new Connecticut Juvenile Training School is operational (Revisor's note: Said written certification was filed with the Senate and House Clerks on September 20, 2001, and with the Governor on September 21, 2001); P.A. 00-76 moved provision re continuing jurisdiction of the court and requiring dispositional hearing at least every 12 months from Subsec. (d) to Subsec. (c), and in Subsec. (d) deleted "for the district in which a parent or guardian of the child or youth resides" re where the commissioner files motion requesting dispositional hearing in Probate Court; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7 amended Subsec. (a) to make technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality, amended Subsec. (b) to make technical changes, amended Subsec. (c) to replace "case service plan" with "permanency plan", delete provision that the court "shall conduct a further dispositional hearing whenever it deems necessary or desirable, but at least every twelve months" and make a technical change, amended Subsec. (d) to replace existing provisions re dispositional hearing and order of disposition with Subdiv. (1) re filing of and hearing on a motion for review of permanency plan, Subdiv. (2) re factors considered by the court at permanency hearing and criteria for permanency plan, Subdiv. (3) re goals of permanency plan and Subdiv. (4) re responsibilities of the court at permanency hearing and options of the court with respect to continuation or modification of the child's or youth's services or placement and amended Subsec. (g) to make technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality, effective August 15, 2002; P.A. 03-278 made technical changes in Subsecs. (d)(4) and (h), effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 05-246 required case service plan for children and youth not in an out-of-home placement who voluntarily receive services and a permanency plan for those voluntarily admitted to department and placed in foster home licensed pursuant to Sec. 17a-114 or facility licensed pursuant to Sec. 17a-145 or 17a-154 in Subsec. (c) and added provision in Subsec. (d)(1) re children and youths who remain placed in licensed foster home or facility; P.A. 06-102 amended Subsec. (g) to make technical changes and provide that any person remaining voluntarily under commissioner's supervision is entitled to a written plan for care and treatment and a review of the plan, effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes in Subsec. (c), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 07-184 amended Subsec. (c) to substitute "first class mail" for "regular mail" and "certified mail" and to delete "return receipt requested".

      Sec. 17a-17. (Formerly Sec. 17-421a). Direct payment for goods and services. Single cost accounting system for payment of room and board and education expenses. (a) The Commissioner of Children and Families may, after consultation with the Commissioner of Administrative Services, establish by regulation a payment system, which shall be adopted in accordance with chapter 54, for the direct payment of the reasonable expense of goods or services determined by said commissioner to be necessary for the care and maintenance of any child in his custody, or under his guardianship, whether or not the child has income or estate. Ninety per cent of a clean claim for payments shall be made no later than thirty days from receipt of the request for payment and ninety-nine per cent shall be made within ninety days of such receipt. Upon request of the Commissioner of Children and Families, the Comptroller shall draw his order on the Treasurer, from time to time, for such part of the appropriation for care of such children as may be needed in order to enable the commissioner to make such payments. The Department of Administrative Services may bill to and collect from the person in charge of the estate of any child in the custody of the Commissioner of Children and Families or under said commissioner's guardianship, or the payee of such child's income, the total amount expended for care of such child or such portion thereof as any such estate or payee is able to reimburse, provided the department shall not collect from such estate or payee any reimbursement for the cost of care or other expenditures made on behalf of such child from (1) the proceeds of any cause of action received by such child; (2) any lottery proceeds due to such child; (3) any inheritance due to such child; (4) any payment due to such child from a trust other than a trust created pursuant to 42 USC 1396p, as amended from time to time; or (5) the decedent estate of such child. For the purposes of this section "clean claim" means a claim which can be processed without obtaining additional substantiation from the applicant for payment or other person entitled to receive payment. A claim submitted by an applicant who is under investigation for fraud or abuse shall not be considered a clean claim.

      (b) The Commissioner of Children and Families and the Commissioner of Education shall jointly develop a single cost accounting system, on forms developed jointly by the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Education, which may be the basis for the payment of reasonable expenses for room and board and education by purchase of service agreement to private residential treatment centers licensed pursuant to section 17a-145. The Commissioner of Children and Families, after consultation with the Commissioner of Education, shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to administer the system which may provide for the combining of procedures within the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Education for administering the system including the holding of joint hearings and reviews. Annually, on or before a date established by the Commissioner of Children and Families, each residential treatment center shall submit to the Department of Children and Families, on forms provided by said department and the Department of Education, the audited costs of its approved programs for the preceding year as certified by a certified public accounting firm. On and after July 1, 1983, no additional services shall be included in the calculation of such reasonable expenses unless such services are approved by the Commissioner of Children and Families or the Commissioner of Education.

      (c) During the two-year period commencing July 1, 1985, the Commissioner of Children and Families and the Commissioner of Education shall implement the cost accounting system developed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. On and after July 1, 1987, said system shall be the basis for the payment of reasonable expenses for room and board and education, by purchase of service agreement, to private residential treatment centers, provided said system shall not be applicable to any treatment center which does not submit the audited costs of its approved programs for the preceding year in accordance with the provisions of said subsection (b).

      (d) Any cost-of-living adjustment provided in section 4 of public act 98-250* shall be applicable only to the room and board rate and shall not be applicable to the education rate.

      (P.A. 75-246; P.A. 77-614, S. 70, 71, 610; P.A. 79-565, S. 2; P.A. 83-471, S. 1, 3; P.A. 84-409, S. 1, 3; P.A. 90-119, S. 2; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; P.A. 94-245, S. 8, 46; P.A. 98-250, S. 29, 39; P.A. 07-203, S. 2.)

      *Note: Section 4 of public act 98-250 is special in nature and therefore has not been codified but remains in full force and effect according to its terms.

      History: P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of finance and control and central collection division of finance and control department with commissioner and department of administrative services; P.A. 79-565 added provisions re "clean claim" payments; P.A. 83-471 added Subsec. (b) re single cost accounting system for room and board and education expenses; P.A. 84-409 added new Subsec. (c) re implementation of the cost accounting system and use of the system as the basis for the payment of reasonable expenses for room, board and education; P.A. 90-119 authorized the department of administrative services to bill to and collect from the estate of any child in the custody of the commissioner of children and youth services; Sec. 17-421a transferred to Sec. 17a-17 in 1991; P.A. 93-91 substituted commissioner and department of children and families for commissioner and department of children and youth services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-245 amended Subsec. (b) to allow the regulations to provide for the combining of procedures within the department of children and families and the department of education for administering the system including the holding of joint hearings and reviews, effective June 2, 1994; P.A. 98-250 added Subsec. (d) re cost-of-living adjustment applicability, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 07-203 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting "including his descendants' estate" and adding proviso re collection of reimbursement from the estate or payee of a child for the cost of care of such child, effective July 10, 2007.

      Sec. 17a-22a. Connecticut Community KidCare. Requirements. Memorandum of understanding for joint administration. Consultation during development. Federal waivers or amendments. (a) The Commissioner of Social Services and the Commissioner of Children and Families shall, within available appropriations, develop and administer an integrated behavioral health service delivery system to be known as Connecticut Community KidCare. Said system shall provide services to children and youths with behavioral health needs who are in the custody of the Department of Children and Families, who are eligible to receive services from the HUSKY Plan, Part A or the federally subsidized portion of Part B, or receive services under the voluntary services program operated by the Department of Children and Families. All necessary changes to the IV-E, Title XIX and Title XXI state plans shall be made to maximize federal financial participation. The Commissioner of Social Services may amend the state Medicaid plan to facilitate the claiming of federal reimbursement for private nonmedical institutions as defined in the Social Security Act. The Commissioner of Social Services may implement policies and procedures necessary to provide reimbursement for the services provided by private nonmedical institutions, as defined in 42 CFR Part 434, while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form, provided the commissioner prints notice of intention to adopt the regulations in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days of implementing such policies and procedures. Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this subsection shall be valid until the time such regulations are effective.

      (b) Connecticut Community KidCare shall, within available appropriations, provide a comprehensive benefit package of behavioral health specialty services. The HUSKY Plan shall continue to provide primary behavioral health services and may provide additional behavioral health services to be determined by the Department of Social Services and shall assure an integration of such services with the behavioral health services provided by Connecticut Community KidCare.

      (c) Connecticut Community KidCare shall include: (1) A system of care model in which service planning is based on the needs and preferences of the child or youth and his or her family and that places an emphasis on early identification, prevention and treatment; (2) a comprehensive behavioral health program with a flexible benefit package that shall include clinically necessary and appropriate home and community-based treatment services and comprehensive support services in the least restrictive setting; (3) community-based care planning and service delivery, including services and supports for children from birth through early childhood that link Connecticut Community KidCare to the early childhood community and promote emotional wellness; (4) comprehensive children and youth behavioral health training for agency and system staff and interested parents and guardians; (5) an efficient balance of local participation and state-wide administration; (6) integration of agency funding to support the benefit package; (7) a performance measurement system for monitoring quality and access; (8) accountability for quality, access and cost; (9) elimination of the major gaps in services and barriers to access services; (10) a system of care that is family-focused with respect for the legal rights of the child or youth and his or her parents and provides training, support and family advocacy services; (11) assurances of timely payment of service claims; (12) assurances that no child or youth shall be disenrolled or inappropriately discharged due to behavioral health care needs; and (13) identification of youths in need of transition services to adult systems.

      (d) The Commissioner of Social Services and the Commissioner of Children and Families shall enter into a memorandum of understanding for the purpose of the joint administration of Connecticut Community KidCare. Such memorandum of understanding shall establish mechanisms to administer funding for, establish standards for and monitor implementation of Connecticut Community KidCare and specify that (1) the Department of Social Services, which is the agency designated as the single state agency for the administration of the Medicaid program pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act and is the agency responsible for the administration of the HUSKY Plan, Part B under Title XXI of the Social Security Act, manage all Medicaid and HUSKY Plan modifications, waiver amendments, federal reporting and claims processing and provide financial management, and (2) the Department of Children and Families, which is the state agency responsible for administering and evaluating a comprehensive and integrated state-wide program of services for children and youths with behavioral health needs, define the services to be included in the continuum of care and develop state-wide training programs for providers, families and other persons.

      (e) Said commissioners shall consult with the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Commissioner of Developmental Services, the Commissioner of Public Health and the Commissioner of Education during the development of Connecticut Community KidCare in order to (1) ensure coordination of a delivery system of behavioral health services across the life span of children, youths and adults with behavioral health needs, (2) maximize federal reimbursement and revenue, and (3) ensure the coordination of care and funding among agencies.

      (f) The Commissioner of Social Services and the Commissioner of Children and Families may apply for any federal waivers or waiver amendments necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2, S. 3, 53; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 43, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131; P.A. 03-19, S. 32, 33; P.A. 06-196, S. 114, 115; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(b).)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2 effective July 1, 2000; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 made substantial revisions to section and amended Subsec. (a) to delete former criteria provisions and require, within available appropriations, the development and administration of an integrated behavioral health service delivery system known as Connecticut Community KidCare, to specify the children and youth who are eligible for services, to authorize Commissioner of Social Services to amend state Medicaid plan to facilitate the claiming of federal reimbursement for private nonmedical institutions and to authorize said commissioner to implement policies and procedures necessary to provide reimbursement for services provided by such institutions while in process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form, added new Subsec. (b) re services provided by Connecticut Community KidCare and the HUSKY Plan and the integration of such services, added new Subsec. (c) specifying thirteen elements Connecticut Community KidCare shall include, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (d), substituting "Connecticut Community KidCare" for "integrated behavioral health service delivery system", deleting reference to "combined" funding and training programs "on the systems of care approach", adding in Subdiv.(1) language that Department of Social Services is the agency responsible for the administration of HUSKY Plan and substituting in Subdiv. (2) "with behavioral health needs" for "who are seriously emotionally disturbed", deleted former Subsecs. (c) and (d), amended Subsec. (e) to require commissioners to also consult with the Commissioners of Public Health and Education, to substitute "Connecticut Community KidCare" for "the integrated behavioral health service delivery system", to insert three new Subdiv. designators and add new language in Subdiv. (2) to maximize federal reimbursement and revenue and in Subdiv. (3) to ensure the coordination of care and funding among agencies, and amended Subsec. (f) to authorize commissioners to apply for any waiver amendments necessary, effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 revised effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 but without affecting this section; P.A. 03-19 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (d), effective May 12, 2003; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subsecs. (a), (d) and (e), effective June 7, 2006; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 "Commissioner of Mental Retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Commissioner of Developmental Services", effective October 1, 2007.

      Sec. 17a-28. (Formerly Sec. 17-431). Definitions. Confidentiality of and access to records; exceptions. Procedure for aggrieved persons. Regulations. (a) As used in this section:

      (1) "Person" means (A) any individual named in a record, maintained by the department, who (i) is presently or at any prior time was a ward of or committed to the commissioner for any reason; (ii) otherwise received services, voluntarily or involuntarily, from the department; or (iii) is presently or was at any prior time the subject of an investigation by the department; (B) the parent of a person, as defined in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, if such person is a minor; or (C) the authorized representative of a person, as defined in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, if such person is deceased;

      (2) "Attorney" means the licensed attorney authorized to assert the confidentiality of or right of access to records of a person;

      (3) "Authorized representative" means a parent, guardian, conservator or other individual authorized to assert the confidentiality of or right of access to records of a person;

      (4) "Consent" means permission given in writing by a person, his attorney or his authorized representative to disclose specified information, within a limited time period, regarding the person to specifically identified individuals;

      (5) "Records" means information created or obtained in connection with the department's child protection activities or activities related to a child while in the care or custody of the department, including information in the registry of reports to be maintained by the commissioner pursuant to section 17a-101k, provided records which are not created by the department are not subject to disclosure, except as provided pursuant to subsection (f), (l) or (n) of this section;

      (6) "Disclose" means (A) to provide an oral summary of records maintained by the department to an individual, agency, corporation or organization or (B) to allow an individual, agency, corporation or organization to review or obtain copies of such records in whole, part or summary form;

      (7) "Near fatality" means an act, as certified by a physician, that places a child in serious or critical condition.

      (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1-210, 1-211 or 1-213, records maintained by the department shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed. Such records of any person may only be disclosed, in whole or in part, to any individual, agency, corporation or organization with the consent of the person or as provided in this section. Any unauthorized disclosure shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

      (c) When information concerning an incident of abuse or neglect has been made public or when the commissioner reasonably believes publication of such information is likely, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee may disclose, with respect to an investigation of such abuse or neglect: (1) Whether the department has received a report in accordance with sections 17a-101a to 17a-101c, inclusive, or section 17a-103, and (2) in general terms, any action taken by the department, provided (A) the names or other individually identifiable information of the minor victim or other family member is not disclosed, and (B) the name or other individually identifiable information of the person suspected to be responsible for the abuse or neglect is not disclosed unless the person has been arrested for a crime due to such abuse or neglect.

      (d) The commissioner shall make available to the public, without the consent of the person, information in general terms or findings concerning an incident of abuse or neglect which resulted in a child fatality or near fatality of a child, provided disclosure of such information or findings does not jeopardize a pending investigation.

      (e) The commissioner shall, upon written request, disclose the following information concerning agencies licensed by the Department of Children and Families, except foster care parents, relatives of the child who are certified to provide foster care or prospective adoptive families: (1) The name of the licensee; (2) the date the original license was issued; (3) the current status of the license; (4) whether an agency investigation or review is pending or has been completed; and (5) any licensing action taken by the department at any time during the period such license was issued and the reason for such action, provided disclosure of such information will not jeopardize a pending investigation.

      (f) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall, upon request, promptly provide copies of records, without the consent of a person, to (1) a law enforcement agency, (2) the Chief State's Attorney, or the Chief State's Attorney's designee, or a state's attorney for the judicial district in which the child resides or in which the alleged abuse or neglect occurred, or the state's attorney's designee, for purposes of investigating or prosecuting an allegation of child abuse or neglect, (3) the attorney appointed to represent a child in any court in litigation affecting the best interests of the child, (4) a guardian ad litem appointed to represent a child in any court in litigation affecting the best interests of the child, (5) the Department of Public Health, which licenses any person to care for children for the purposes of determining suitability of such person for licensure, subject to the provisions of sections 17a-101g and 17a-101k, (6) any state agency which licenses such person to educate or care for children pursuant to section 10-145b or 17a-101j, subject to the provisions of sections 17a-101g and 17a-101k concerning nondisclosure of findings of responsibility for abuse and neglect, (7) the Governor, when requested in writing, in the course of the Governor's official functions or the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee, the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary and the select committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children when requested in the course of said committees' official functions in writing, and upon a majority vote of said committee, provided no names or other identifying information shall be disclosed unless it is essential to the legislative or gubernatorial purpose, (8) a local or regional board of education, provided the records are limited to educational records created or obtained by the state or Connecticut-Unified School District #2, established pursuant to section 17a-37, (9) a party in a custody proceeding under section 17a-112 or 46b-129, in the Superior Court where such records concern a child who is the subject of the proceeding or the parent of such child, (10) the Chief Child Protection Attorney, or his or her designee, for purposes of ensuring competent representation by the attorneys whom the Chief Child Protection Attorney contracts with to provide legal and guardian ad litem services to the subjects of such records and to ensure accurate payments for services rendered by such contract attorneys, and (11) the Department of Motor Vehicles, for purposes of checking the state's child abuse and neglect registry pursuant to subsection (e) of section 14-44. A disclosure under this section shall be made of any part of a record, whether or not created by the department, provided no confidential record of the Superior Court shall be disclosed other than the petition and any affidavits filed therewith in the superior court for juvenile matters, except upon an order of a judge of the Superior Court for good cause shown. The commissioner shall also disclose the name of any individual who cooperates with an investigation of a report of child abuse or neglect to such law enforcement agency or state's attorney for purposes of investigating or prosecuting an allegation of child abuse or neglect. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall, upon request, subject to the provisions of sections 17a-101g and 17a-101k, promptly provide copies of records, without the consent of the person, to (A) the Department of Public Health for the purpose of determining the suitability of a person to care for children in a facility licensed under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, and 19a-87b, and (B) the Department of Social Services for determining the suitability of a person for any payment from the department for providing child care.

      (g) When the commissioner or his designee determines it to be in a person's best interest, the commissioner or his designee may disclose records, whether or not created by the department and not otherwise privileged or confidential communications under state or federal law, without the consent of a person to:

      (1) Multidisciplinary teams which are formed to assist the department in investigation, evaluation or treatment of child abuse and neglect cases or a multidisciplinary provider of professional treatment services under contract with the department for a child referred to the provider;

      (2) Any agency in another state which is responsible for investigating or protecting against child abuse or neglect for the purpose of investigating a child abuse case;

      (3) An individual, including a physician, authorized pursuant to section 17a-101f to place a child in protective custody if such individual has before him a child whom he reasonably suspects may be a victim of abuse or neglect and such individual requires the information in a record in order to determine whether to place the child in protective custody;

      (4) An individual or public or private agency responsible for a person's care or custody and authorized by the department to diagnose, care for, treat or supervise a child who is the subject of a record of child abuse or neglect or a public or private agency responsible for a person's education for a purpose related to the individual's or agency's responsibilities;

      (5) The Attorney General or any assistant attorney general providing legal counsel for the department;

      (6) Individuals or public or private agencies engaged in medical, psychological or psychiatric diagnosis or treatment of a person perpetrating the abuse or who is unwilling or unable to protect the child from abuse or neglect when the commissioner or his designee determines that the disclosure is needed to accomplish the objectives of diagnosis or treatment;

      (7) A person who reports child abuse pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101c, inclusive, and section 17a-103, who made a report of abuse involving the subject child, provided the information disclosed is limited to (A) the status of the investigation and (B) in general terms, any action taken by the department;

      (8) An individual conducting bona fide research, provided no information identifying the subjects of records shall be disclosed unless (A) such information is essential to the purpose of the research; (B) each person identified in a record or his authorized representative has authorized such disclosure in writing; and (C) the department has given written approval;

      (9) The Auditors of Public Accounts or their representative, provided no information identifying the subjects of the records shall be disclosed unless such information is essential to an audit conducted pursuant to section 2-90;

      (10) The Department of Social Services, provided the information disclosed is necessary to promote the health, safety and welfare of the child;

      (11) A judge of the Superior Court for purposes of determining the appropriate disposition of a child convicted as delinquent or a child who is a member of a family with service needs; and

      (12) The superintendents, or their designees, of state-operated facilities within the department.

      (h) The commissioner or his designee may disclose the name, address and fees for services to a person, to individuals or agencies involved in the collection of fees for such services, except as provided in section 17b-225. In cases where a dispute arises over such fees or claims or where additional information is needed to substantiate the fee or claim, such disclosure of further information shall be limited to the following: (1) That the person was in fact committed to or otherwise served by the department; (2) dates and duration of service; and (3) a general description of the service, which shall include evidence that a service or treatment plan exists and has been carried out and evidence to substantiate the necessity for admission and length of stay in any institution or facility.

      (i) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (f) and (l) of this section, the name of an individual reporting child abuse or neglect shall not be disclosed without his written consent except to (1) an employee of the department responsible for child protective services or the abuse registry; (2) a law enforcement officer; (3) an appropriate state's attorney; (4) an appropriate assistant attorney general; (5) a judge of the Superior Court and all necessary parties in a court proceeding pursuant to section 46b-129, or a criminal prosecution involving child abuse or neglect; or (6) a state child care licensing agency, executive director of any institution, school or facility or superintendent of schools pursuant to section 17a-101i.

      (j) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (g) of this section, the name of any individual who cooperates with an investigation of a report of child abuse or neglect shall be kept confidential upon request or upon determination by the department that disclosure of such information may be detrimental to the safety or interests of the individual, except the name of any such individual shall be disclosed to the persons listed in subsection (i) of this section.

      (k) Notwithstanding the confidentiality provisions of this section, the commissioner, upon request of an employee, shall disclose such records to such employee or his authorized representative which would be applicable and necessary for the purposes of an employee disciplinary hearing or appeal from a decision after such hearing.

      (l) Information disclosed from a person's record shall not be disclosed further without the written consent of the person, except if disclosed to a party or his counsel pursuant to an order of a court in which a criminal prosecution or an abuse, neglect, commitment or termination proceeding against the party is pending. A state's attorney shall disclose to the defendant or his counsel in a criminal prosecution, without the necessity of a court order, exculpatory information and material contained in such record and may disclose, without a court order, information and material contained in such record which could be the subject of a disclosure order. All written records disclosed to another individual or agency shall bear a stamp requiring confidentiality in accordance with the provisions of this section. Such material shall not be disclosed to anyone without written consent of the person or as provided by this section. A copy of the consent form specifying to whom and for what specific use the record is disclosed or a statement setting forth any other statutory authorization for disclosure and the limitations imposed thereon shall accompany such record. In cases where the disclosure is made orally, the individual disclosing the information shall inform the recipient that such information is governed by the provisions of this section.

      (m) In addition to the right of access provided in section 1-210, any person, regardless of age, his authorized representative or attorney shall have the right of access to any records made, maintained or kept on file by the department, whether or not such records are required by any law or by any rule or regulation, when those records pertain to or contain information or materials concerning the person seeking access thereto, including but not limited to records concerning investigations, reports, or medical, psychological or psychiatric examinations of the person seeking access thereto, provided that (1) information identifying an individual who reported abuse or neglect of a person, including any tape recording of an oral report pursuant to section 17a-103, shall not be released unless, upon application to the Superior Court by such person and served on the Commissioner of Children and Families, a judge determines, after in camera inspection of relevant records and a hearing, that there is reasonable cause to believe the reporter knowingly made a false report or that other interests of justice require such release; and (2) if the commissioner determines that it would be contrary to the best interests of the person or his authorized representative or attorney to review the records, he may refuse access by issuing to such person or representative or attorney a written statement setting forth the reasons for such refusal, and advise the person, his authorized representative or attorney of the right to seek judicial relief. When any person, attorney or authorized representative, having obtained access to any record, believes there are factually inaccurate entries or materials contained therein, he shall have the unqualified right to add a statement to the record setting forth what he believes to be an accurate statement of those facts, and said statement shall become a permanent part of said record.

      (n) (1) Any person, attorney or authorized representative aggrieved by a violation of subsection (b), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j) or (l) of this section or of subsection (m) of this section, except subdivision (2) of said subsection (m), may seek judicial relief in the same manner as provided in section 52-146j; (2) any person, attorney or authorized representative denied access to records by the commissioner under subdivision (2) of subsection (m) of this section may petition the superior court for the venue district provided in section 46b-142 in which the person resides for an order requiring the commissioner to permit access to those records, and the court after hearing, and an in camera review of the records in question, shall issue such an order unless it determines that to permit such access would be contrary to the best interests of the person or authorized representative.

      (o) The commissioner shall promulgate regulations pursuant to chapter 54, within one year of October 1, 1996, to establish procedures for access to and disclosure of records consistent with the provisions of this section.

      (P.A. 75-524, S. 20, 30; P.A. 77-246, S. 12; P.A. 78-280, S. 30, 127; P.A. 91-299, S. 1; P.A. 96-246, S. 17; P.A. 97-104; 97-259, S. 25, 41; 97-319, S. 8, 22; P.A. 98-70, S. 2; 98-239, S. 17, 35; P.A. 01-142, S. 1; P.A. 05-207, S. 3, 4; P.A. 06-187, S. 76; P.A. 07-217, S. 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5, S. 21.)

      History: P.A. 77-246 added Subsec. (c)(5); P.A. 78-280 replaced juvenile court with superior court and specified "venue" districts in Subsec. (f); Sec. 17-431 transferred to Sec. 17a-28 in 1991; P.A. 91-299 in Subsec. (a) amended definitions of "person", "attorney", "authorized representative", "consent", and "records" added definition of "disclose", in Subsec. (b) added provisions re confidentiality and criminal penalty, added a new Subsec. (c) re disclosure of records to state's attorney and relettered remaining Subsecs. accordingly, amended Subsec. (d) by adding Subdivs. (1) to (10), inclusive, re disclosure of records without consent of a person and making existing Subdiv. (4) a new Subsec. and renumbering the Subparas. as Subdivs., added a new Subsec. (f) re confidentiality of a person reporting child abuse or neglect, added a new Subsec. (g) re confidentiality of name of person cooperating with investigation of child abuse or neglect, added a new Subsec. (h) re disclosure of child abuse or neglect investigation, amended existing Subsec. (d) re disclosure without written consent of a person, except in criminal cases with a court order, added new Subsec. (e)(1) and (2) re disclosure of information concerning person reporting child abuse and neglect, amended existing Subsec. (f) by making technical changes and amended existing Subsec. (g) requiring submittal of regulations re disclosure of records; P.A. 96-246 amended Subsec. (a)(5) by changing reference to Sec. 17a-101(g) to Sec. 17a-101e, amended Subsecs. (b), (c) and (d) by adding provisions re disclosure of records and disclosure of information by commissioner or designee when child abuse incident has been made public or publication likely and disclosure of information re agencies licensed by department, amended Subsec. (e) by adding law enforcement agency and provided disclosure of petitions and affidavits pled in superior court for juvenile matters, amended Subsec. (f)(7) to provide disclosure to reporter of child abuse action taken by the department in general terms, amended Subsec. (f)(8) permitting disclosure to Governor, committee on judiciary and committee having cognizance of matters involving children, added Subsec. (j) permitting commissioner, upon request of employee, to disclose records necessary for employee disciplinary hearing or appeal and amended Subsec. (n) by changing "1991" to "1996"; P.A. 97-104 added Subsec. (e)(3) and (4) re provision of copies of records to an attorney or guardian ad litem appointed to represent a child in litigation affecting the best interests of the child; P.A. 97-259 amended Subsec. (e) to allow copies to be provided to the Department of Public Health for the purpose of determining suitability of a person to care for children in conjuction with the department's day care licensure function and to the Department of Social Services for the purpose of determining the suitability of a person for any payment from the department for providing child care, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 97-319 added Subsec. (e)(3) and (4) re provision of copies of records to state agencies and the Governor, amended Subsec. (f) to expand disclosure of records to include all communications and made changes consistent with changes in Subsec. (e), added Subsec. (h)(4) and (5) re disclosure to judges and child placing agencies and schools, amended Subsec. (l) to prohibit the release of information identifying a person upon determination a reporter knowingly made a false report and made technical changes, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-70 added Subsec. (f)(10) and (11), (codified as Subsec. (g)(11) and (12) due to the relettering of Subsecs. and other amendments in P.A. 98-239), providing for disclosure of records to judge of Superior Court for determining appropriate disposition of child and to superintendents or designees of state-operated facilities within Department of Children and Families; P.A. 98-239 added Subsec. (a)(7) defining "near fatality", added new provision as Subsec. (d) to require commissioner to make available to the public information re an incident of abuse or neglect which resulted in a child fatality or near fatality, relettered former Subsecs. (d) to (n) as (e) to (o), amended Subsec. (f)(6) to require commissioner to provide copies of records, upon request, to any state agency which licenses such person to educate children pursuant to section 10-145b, added new Subsec. (f)(8), requiring commissioner to provide to a local or regional board of education, upon request, copies of educational records created or obtained by the state or Connecticut-Unified School District #2 and to expand disclosure of department or nondepartment records to all persons or entities specified in Subsec. (f), eliminating reference to "such law enforcement agency or attorney", amended Subsec. (g)(4) to allow commissioner, when he determines it to be in a child's best interest, to disclose department or nondepartment records that are not privileged or confidential to public or private agencies responsible for a child's education, added new Subsec. (g)(10), authorizing disclosure of records to the Department of Social Services, provided the information disclosed is necessary to promote the health, safety and welfare of the child, and made technical changes throughout (Revisor's note: The reference in Subsec. (n)(2) to "... subdivision (2) of subsection (l) of this section ..." was changed editorially by the Revisors to "... subdivision (2) of subsection (m) of this section ..." to reflect the relettering of Subsecs. by P.A. 98-239); P.A. 01-142 added Subsec. (f)(9) re disclosure of records to party in custody proceeding in Superior Court where records concern child or parent, and made technical changes for the purposes of gender neutrality; P.A. 05-207 made technical changes and required name or other individually identifiable information of suspected person not to be disclosed unless person arrested for crime in Subsec. (c) and made disclosure of records to state agencies subject to provisions of Secs. 17a-101g and 17a-101k in Subsec. (f); P.A. 06-187 added Subsec. (f)(10) permitting copies of department records to be provided without consent of a person to the Chief Child Protection Attorney, or designee, for purposes of providing competent representation by contract attorneys and to ensure accurate payment for attorney services; P.A. 07-217 made technical changes in Subsec. (f), effective July 12, 2007; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5 added Subsec. (f)(11) re provision of records to Department of Motor Vehicles for checking child abuse and neglect registry, effective October 6, 2007.

      Sec. 17a-33. (Formerly Sec. 17-435c). Undercliff Mental Health Center buildings and facilities under the control of the Department of Developmental Services. (a) Those buildings, facilities and other real property at Undercliff Mental Health Center not under the supervision and control of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and not transferred to the Department of Children and Families under section 17a-31, shall continue to be under the supervision and control of the Department of Developmental Services, including, but not limited to Kimball House, Cold Spring Home, and any replacement of such buildings; and approximately six acres of land situated southwest of the intersection of Route 71 and Undercliff Road in Meriden, the precise boundaries of which shall be mutually agreed upon by the Commissioners of Children and Families and Developmental Services, shall be transferred to said Department of Developmental Services.

      (b) If at any time, because of reconstruction or rehabilitation of the facilities under the supervision and control of the Department of Developmental Services, it becomes necessary to transfer the patients therein to another facility, such patients shall be placed in group homes in the immediate region or in suitable, segregated areas of the facilities of the Department of Children and Families at said center which shall be mutually agreed upon by the commissioners of said departments.

      (P.A. 77-220, S. 4, 5; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; P.A. 95-257, S. 11, 58; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a), (b).)

      History: Sec. 17-435c transferred to Sec. 17a-33 in 1991; P.A. 93-91 substituted commissioner and department of children and families for commissioner and department of children and youth services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Mental Health with Commissioner and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, effective July 1, 1995; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 "Commissioner of Mental Retardation" and "Department of Mental Retardation" were changed editorially by the Revisors to "Commissioner of Developmental Services" and "Department of Developmental Services", effective October 1, 2007.

      Sec. 17a-46. (Formerly Sec. 17-444d). Deferral of photo-listing a child. (a) Deferral of the photo-listing of a child shall be for one or more of the following reasons: (1) The child is in an adoptive placement but is not legally adopted; (2) the child's foster parents or other individuals are now considering adoption; (3) diagnostic study or testing is required to clarify the child's problem and provide an adequate description; (4) the child is currently in a hospital and continuing need for daily professional care will not permit placement in a family setting; or (5) the child is fourteen years of age or older and will not consent to an adoption plan.

      (b) Approval of a request to defer photo-listing for any of the reasons specified in subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection (a) of this section shall be valid for a period not to exceed ninety days. There shall be no subsequent deferrals for such reasons.

      (P.A. 77-379, S. 5; P.A. 07-217, S. 70.)

      History: Sec. 17-444d transferred to Sec. 17a-46 in 1991; P.A. 07-217 made technical changes in Subsec. (b), effective July 12, 2007.

      Sec. 17a-54a. Support for families with children with serious, chronic medical conditions. The Commissioner of Children and Families, in collaboration with the Commissioners of Economic and Community Development, Social Services, Developmental Services and Public Health, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the executive director of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, shall establish a pilot project to provide affordable housing and support services to families with children who have one or more serious, chronic medical conditions and have ongoing, significant health care service needs.

      (May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-1, S. 41; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(b).)

      History: May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-1 effective July 1, 2004; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 "Commissioner of Mental Retardation" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Commissioner of Developmental Services", effective October 1, 2007.