CHAPTER 319
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

      Sec. 17a-1. (Formerly Sec. 17-410). Definitions. As used in sections 17a-1 to 17a-26, inclusive, 17a-28 to 17a-49, inclusive, 17a-127 and 46b-120, unless otherwise provided in said sections:

      (1) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Children and Families;

      (2) "Council" means the State Advisory Council on Children and Families;

      (3) "Advisory committee" means the Children's Behavioral Health Advisory Committee to the council;

      (4) "Department" means the Department of Children and Families;

      (5) "Child" means a child, as defined in section 46b-120;

      (6) "Youth" means a youth, as defined in section 46b-120;

      (7) "Delinquent child" means a child convicted of a delinquent act, as defined in section 46b-120;

      (8) "Child or youth with behavioral health needs" means a child or youth who is suffering from one or more mental disorders as defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders";

      (9) "Individual service plan" means a written plan to access specialized, coordinated and integrated care for a child or youth with complex behavioral health service needs that is designed to meet the needs of the child or youth and his or her family and may include, when appropriate (A) an assessment of the individual needs of the child or youth, (B) an identification of service needs, (C) an identification of services that are currently being provided, (D) an identification of opportunities for full participation by parents or emancipated minors, (E) a reintegration plan when an out-of-home placement is made or recommended, (F) an identification of criteria for evaluating the effectiveness and appropriateness of such plan, and (G) coordination of the individual service plan with any educational services provided to the child or youth. The plan shall be subject to review at least every six months or upon reasonable request by the parent based on a changed circumstance, and be approved, in writing, by the parents, guardian of a child or youth and emancipated minors;

      (10) "Family" means a child or youth with behavioral health needs and (A) one or more biological or adoptive parents, except for a parent whose parental rights have been terminated, (B) one or more persons to whom legal custody or guardianship has been given, or (C) one or more adults who have a primary responsibility for providing continuous care to such child or youth;

      (11) "Parent" means a biological or adoptive parent, except a parent whose parental rights have been terminated;

      (12) "Guardian" means a person who has a judicially created relationship between a child or youth and such person that is intended to be permanent and self-sustaining as evidenced by the transfer to such person of the following parental rights with respect to the child or youth: (A) The obligation of care and control; (B) the authority to make major decisions affecting the child's or youth's welfare, including, but not limited to, consent determinations regarding marriage, enlistment in the armed forces and major medical, psychiatric or surgical treatment; (C) the obligation of protection of the child or youth; (D) the obligation to provide access to education; and (E) custody of the child or youth;

      (13) "Serious emotional disturbance" and "seriously emotionally disturbed" means, with regard to a child or youth, that the child or youth (A) has a range of diagnosable mental, behavioral or emotional disorders of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders", and (B) exhibits behaviors that substantially interfere with or limit the child's or youth's ability to function in the family, school or community and are not a temporary response to a stressful situation;

      (14) "Child or youth with complex behavioral health service needs" means a child or youth with behavioral health needs who needs specialized, coordinated behavioral health services;

      (15) "Transition services" means services in the areas of education, employment, housing and community living designed to assist a youth with a serious emotional disturbance who is transitioning into adulthood; and

      (16) "Community collaborative" means a local consortium of public and private health care providers, parents and guardians of children with behavioral health needs and service and education agencies that have organized to develop coordinated comprehensive community resources for children or youths with complex behavioral health service needs and their families in accordance with principles and goals of Connecticut Community KidCare.

      (1969, P.A. 664, S. 3; 1971, P.A. 818, S. 1; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 32; P.A. 75-524, S. 1, 30; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; P.A. 97-272, S. 1; P.A. 98-241, S. 1, 18; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2, S. 6, 53; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 42, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131; P.A. 02-109, S. 3; P.A. 06-196, S. 100, 101; P.A. 11-157, S. 3.)

      History: 1971 act redefined "child" and "youth"; 1972 act again redefined "youth" to reflect changed age of majority; P.A. 75-524 specified "council" to be state advisory council; Sec. 17-410 transferred to Sec. 17a-1 in 1991; P.A. 93-91 substituted commissioner and department of children and families for commissioner and department of children and youth services and council on children and families for council on children and youth services, effective July 1, 1993 (Revisor's note: Reference in opening sentence to section "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 replaced alphabetic Subdiv. indicators with numeric indicators and added definitions of "child or youth with mental illness", "child or youth with emotional disturbance", "individual system of care plan", "family", "child or youth at placement risk" and "parent"; P.A. 98-241 added Subdiv. (13) defining "guardian", effective July 1, 1998; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2 added Subdiv. (14) defining "serious emotional disturbance" and "seriously emotionally disturbed", and amended Subdivs. (9), (10) and (11) to add "seriously emotionally disturbed" in reference to a child or youth, effective July 1, 2000; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 made substantial revisions to section, adding definitions of "advisory committee", "child or youth with complex behavioral health service needs", "transition services" and "community collaborative", deleting definitions of "child or youth with emotional disturbance" and "child or youth at placement risk", redefining "youth", "individual service plan" and "family", inserting in definition of "guardian" references to youth, deleting in definition of "parent" word "biological", substituting in definition of "child or youth with mental illness" "behavioral health needs" for "mental illness", defining "individual service plan" in lieu of "individual system of care plan", making technical changes and renumbering Subdivs. accordingly, 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. 02-109 specified that the definitions apply "unless otherwise provided in said sections" and made technical changes in Subdivs. (9), (10) and (12), effective June 7, 2002; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subdivs. (9)(E) and (16), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 11-157 redefined "child" and "youth" in Subdivs. (5) and (6) to reference corresponding definitions in Sec. 46b-120, and redefined "delinquent child" in Subdiv. (7) to mean a child convicted of a delinquent act, as defined in Sec. 46b-120.

      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-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-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; P.A. 11-242, S. 35.)

      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); P.A. 11-242 deleted reference to repealed Sec. 19a-125 in Subsecs. (b) and (c).

      Sec. 17a-3. (Formerly Sec. 17-412). Powers and duties of department. Comprehensive strategic plan. (a) The department shall plan, create, develop, operate or arrange for, administer and evaluate a comprehensive and integrated state-wide program of services, including preventive services, for children and youths whose behavior does not conform to the law or to acceptable community standards, or who are mentally ill, including deaf and hearing impaired children and youths who are mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, substance abusers, delinquent, abused, neglected or uncared for, including all children and youths who are or may be committed to it by any court, and all children and youths voluntarily admitted to, or remaining voluntarily under the supervision of, the commissioner for services of any kind. Services shall not be denied to any such child or youth solely because of other complicating or multiple disabilities. The department shall work in cooperation with other child-serving agencies and organizations to provide or arrange for preventive programs, including, but not limited to, teenage pregnancy and youth suicide prevention, for children and youths and their families. The program shall provide services and placements that are clinically indicated and appropriate to the needs of the child or youth, except that such services and placements shall not commence or continue for a delinquent child who has attained the age of twenty. In furtherance of this purpose, the department shall: (1) Maintain the Connecticut Juvenile Training School and other appropriate facilities exclusively for delinquents; (2) develop a comprehensive program for prevention of problems of children and youths and provide a flexible, innovative and effective program for the placement, care and treatment of children and youths committed by any court to the department, transferred to the department by other departments, or voluntarily admitted to the department; (3) provide appropriate services to families of children and youths as needed to achieve the purposes of sections 17a-1 to 17a-26, inclusive, 17a-28 to 17a-49, inclusive, and 17a-51; (4) establish incentive paid work programs for children and youths under the care of the department and the rates to be paid such children and youths for work done in such programs and may provide allowances to children and youths in the custody of the department; (5) be responsible to collect, interpret and publish statistics relating to children and youths within the department; (6) conduct studies of any program, service or facility developed, operated, contracted for or supported by the department in order to evaluate its effectiveness; (7) establish staff development and other training and educational programs designed to improve the quality of departmental services and programs, which shall include, but not be limited to, training in the prevention, identification and effects of family violence, provided no social worker trainee shall be assigned a case load prior to completing training, and may establish educational or training programs for children, youths, parents or other interested persons on any matter related to the promotion of the well-being of children, or the prevention of mental illness, emotional disturbance, delinquency and other disabilities in children and youths; (8) develop and implement aftercare and follow-up services appropriate to the needs of any child or youth under the care of the department; (9) establish a case audit unit to monitor each regional office's compliance with regulations and procedures; (10) develop and maintain a database listing available community service programs funded by the department; (11) provide outreach and assistance to persons caring for children whose parents are unable to do so by informing such persons of programs and benefits for which they may be eligible; and (12) collect data sufficient to identify the housing needs of children served by the department and share such data with the Department of Economic and Community Development.

      (b) (1) The department, with the assistance of the State Advisory Council on Children and Families, and in consultation with representatives of the children and families served by the department, providers of services to children and families, advocates, and others interested in the well-being of children and families in this state, shall develop and regularly update a single, comprehensive strategic plan for meeting the needs of children and families served by the department. In developing and updating the strategic plan, the department shall identify and define agency goals and indicators of progress, including benchmarks, in achieving such goals. The strategic plan shall include, but not be limited to: (A) The department's mission statement; (B) the expected results for the department and each of its mandated areas of responsibility; (C) a schedule of action steps and a time frame for achieving such results and fulfilling the department's mission that includes strategies for working with other state agencies to leverage resources and coordinate service delivery; (D) priorities for services and estimates of the funding and other resources necessary to carry them out; (E) standards for programs and services that are based on research-based best practices, when available; and (F) relevant measures of performance.

      (2) The department shall begin the strategic planning process on July 1, 2009. The department shall hold regional meetings on the plan to ensure public input and shall post the plan and the plan's updates and progress reports on the department's web site. The department shall submit the strategic plan to the State Advisory Council on Children and Families for review and comment prior to its final submission to the General Assembly and the Governor. On or before July 1, 2010, the department shall submit the strategic plan, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the General Assembly and the Governor.

      (3) The commissioner shall track and report on progress in achieving the strategic plan's goals not later than October 1, 2010, and quarterly thereafter, to said State Advisory Council. The commissioner shall submit a status report on progress in achieving the results in the strategic plan, in accordance with section 11-4a, not later than July 1, 2011, and annually thereafter to the General Assembly and the Governor.

      (1969, P.A. 664, S. 2; P.A. 75-524, S. 3, 30; P.A. 79-165; P.A. 86-15; P.A. 89-191, S. 2; P.A. 91-268, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8, S. 55; P.A. 94-232, S. 1; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; 95-257, S. 5, 58; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; 96-238, S. 15, 25; P.A. 97-272, S. 6; P.A. 99-26, S. 11, 17, 39; P.A. 05-246, S. 1; P.A. 06-102, S. 3; 06-196, S. 102; P.A. 09-205, S. 1; P.A. 11-105, S. 5; 11-120, S. 2; 11-152, S. 18; 11-156, S. 2; 11-157, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 75-524 essentially rewrote section, clarifying and extending department's responsibilities; P.A. 79-165 added Subdiv. (i) re master plan; P.A. 86-15 required biennial, rather than annual, submission of master plan; P.A. 89-191 added youth suicide prevention as part of the prevention programs the department is required to provide or arrange for; Sec. 17-412 transferred to Sec. 17a-3 in 1991; P.A. 91-268 added provision in Subdiv. (g) prohibiting a social worker trainee from working on assigned cases until the completion of training, added new Subdivs. (i) establishing a case audit unit, and (j) requiring the development of a list of community service programs, and relettered the remaining Subdiv. accordingly; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-8 added new Subdivs. (k) re providing outreach and assistance regarding various programs and benefits to persons caring for the children of others, and (l) re collecting housing data to identify and provide housing assistance to children in need and relettered the previous Subdiv. (Revisor's note: The reference in Subdiv. (c) 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. 94-232 added teenage pregnancy to requirement for preventive programs and added new Subdiv. (8) to require a comprehensive plan for substance abusers; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 95-257 replaced Commissioner and Department of Public Health and Addiction Services with Commissioner and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 96-238 added reference to deaf and hearing impaired children and youth who are mentally ill and added children with complicating or multiple disabilities to Subdiv. (7), effective July 1, 1996 (Revisor's note: In Subdiv. (d) the Revisor's editorially replaced a comma with the word "and" before the words "the rates" in the phrase "... under the care of the department and the rates to be paid such ..."); P.A. 97-272 added provision requiring that programs provide services and placements that are clinically indicated and appropriate; P.A. 99-26 added Subsec. (n) to require the department to prepare a plan to keep delinquent children placed in the new Connecticut Juvenile Training School in such facility for at least one year, effective May 7, 1999, and amended Subsec. (a) to replace "Long Lane School" with "the Connecticut Juvenile Training School" and amended Subsec. (n) to delete "new" before "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. 05-246 divided section into new Subsecs. (a), (b) and (c), made technical changes throughout and changed "region's compliance" to "area office's compliance" in Subsec. (a)(9); P.A. 06-102 amended Subsec. (a) to add "or remaining voluntarily under the supervision of" and substituted "commissioner" for "department", effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b)(8), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 09-205 replaced former Subsec. (b) with new Subsec. (b) re development of comprehensive strategic plan for meeting the needs of children and families, regional meetings on plan, submission of plan to State Advisory Council on Children and Families, General Assembly and Governor and submission of annual progress report re achieving plan's goals to General Assembly and Governor, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 11-105 amended Subsec. (a)(9) by replacing "area" with "regional", effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-120 deleted former Subsec. (c) re plan for children placed in Connecticut Juvenile Training School, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-152 amended Subsec. (a)(7) to require training in prevention, identification and effects of family violence, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-156 made identical changes as P.A. 11-120; P.A. 11-157 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that services and placements shall not commence or continue for delinquent child who has attained age 20, and deleted former Subsec. (c) re plan for children placed in Connecticut Juvenile Training School.

      Sec. 17a-4. (Formerly Sec. 17-413). State Advisory Council on Children and Families. Appointment. Powers and duties. (a) There shall be a State Advisory Council on Children and Families which shall consist of nineteen members appointed by the Governor, including at least five persons who are child care professionals, two persons eighteen to twenty-five years of age, inclusive, served by the Department of Children and Families, one child psychiatrist licensed to practice medicine in this state and at least one attorney who has expertise in legal issues related to children and youth. The balance of the advisory council shall be representative of young persons, parents and others interested in the delivery of services to children and youths, including child protection, behavioral health, juvenile justice and prevention services. No less than fifty per cent of the council's members shall be parents, foster parents or family members of children who have received, or are receiving, behavioral health services, child welfare services or juvenile services and no more than half the members of the council shall be persons who receive income from a private practice or any public or private agency that delivers mental health, substance abuse, child abuse prevention and treatment, child welfare services or juvenile services. Members of the council shall serve without compensation, except for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The Department of Children and Families shall provide the council with funding to facilitate the participation of those members representing families and youth, as well as for other administrative support services. Members shall serve on the council for terms of two years each and no member shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. The commissioner shall be an ex-officio member of the council without vote and shall attend its meetings. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or fifty per cent of all meetings during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned. The council shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson to act in the chairperson's absence.

      (b) The council shall meet quarterly, and more often upon the call of the chair or a majority of the members. The council's meetings shall be held at locations that facilitate participation by members of the public, and its agenda and minutes shall be posted on the department's web site. A majority of the members in office, but not less than six members, shall constitute a quorum. The council shall have complete access to all records of the institutions and facilities of the department in furtherance of its duties, while at all times protecting the right of privacy of all individuals involved, as provided in section 17a-28.

      (c) The duties of the council shall be to: (1) Recommend to the commissioner programs, legislation or other matters which will improve services for children and youths, including behavioral health services; (2) annually review and advise the commissioner regarding the proposed budget; (3) interpret to the community at large the policies, duties and programs of the department; (4) issue any reports it deems necessary to the Governor and the Commissioner of Children and Families; (5) assist in the development of and review and comment on the strategic plan developed by the department pursuant to subsection (b) of section 17a-3; (6) receive on a quarterly basis from the commissioner a status report on the department's progress in carrying out the strategic plan; (7) independently monitor the department's progress in achieving its goals as expressed in the strategic plan; and (8) offer assistance and provide an outside perspective to the department so that it may be able to achieve the goals expressed in the strategic plan.

      (1969, P.A. 664, S. 4; 1971, P.A. 818, S. 2; P.A. 74-150, S. 2; P.A. 75-524, S. 4, 30; P.A. 79-45; P.A. 84-256, S. 12, 17; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; P.A. 00-188, S. 1, 5; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 50, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131; P.A. 03-19, S. 29; P.A. 06-196, S. 103; P.A. 09-205, S. 5; P.A. 11-120, S. 1.)

      History: 1971 act established council as advisory body, increased membership from 11 to 14 by adding three youth members as provided in act, required that meeting be called at request of 5, rather than 3 members, and deleted provisions re required appearances and production of documents, re development of department policy and re board of review as no longer conforming with advisory status; P.A. 74-150 deleted requirement that at least one woman member be appointed; P.A. 75-524 increased membership to 15 and required 5 to be child-care professionals, one to be attorney with remainder representative of young people, parents and other interested parties, specified that psychiatrist member be "child" psychiatrist, changed schedule of appointments, removed all agency heads, except commissioner of children and youth services, from ex-officio membership, limited terms, required monthly rather than quarterly meetings, allowed council access to records and expanded council's duties in new Subsec. (c); P.A. 79-45 changed age of youth members from between 18 and 25 to between 15 and 22; P.A. 84-256 added attendance and quorum requirements for members and eliminated requirement of annual report to governor, required that meetings be held quarterly rather than monthly and deleted obsolete appointment provisions; Sec. 17-413 transferred to Sec. 17a-4 in 1991; P.A. 93-91 substituted commissioner and department of children and families and council on children and families for commissioner and department of children and youth services and council on children and youth services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 00-188 amended Subsec. (a) to delete requirement that at least 3 members between 15 and 22 years of age be appointed and to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2000; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 amended Subsec. (a) to increase, from 15 to 17, the number of members, to require that no less than 50% of the members be parents or family members of children who have received or are receiving behavioral health, child welfare services or juvenile services and that no more than half the members be persons who receive income from a private practice or any public or private agency that delivers mental health, substance abuse, child abuse prevention and treatment, child welfare services or juvenile services, and to require that members serve on the council for terms of 2 years each, and amended Subsec. (c) to make technical changes, 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 a technical change in Subsec. (a), effective May 12, 2003; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subsecs. (a) and (c), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 09-205 amended Subsec. (a) by adding 2 persons served by Department of Children and Families to advisory council, requiring attorney member to have expertise in legal issues related to children and youth, specifying type of services in which the balance of council shall be interested, and requiring department to provide funding to facilitate participation of members representing families and youth and for administrative support services, amended Subsec. (b) by requiring meetings to be held at locations facilitating participation by public and posting of its agenda and minutes on department's web site, and amended Subsec. (c) by requiring advisory council to recommend improvement of behavioral health services and inserting Subdivs. (5) to (8) re additional duties, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 11-120 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing number of members from 17 to 19 and adding foster parents to group of members that must make up at least 50% of council's membership.

      Sec. 17a-6b. Connecticut Juvenile Training School advisory group. Review. Recommendations. Report by commissioner. (a) The advisory group for the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, established pursuant to subsection (b) of section 17a-6, shall provide an on-going review of the Connecticut Juvenile Training School with recommendations for improvement or enhancement. The review shall include, but not be limited to:

      (1) The number, age, ethnicity and race of the residents placed at the training school, including the court locations that sentenced them, the number sentenced from each court location and the offenses for which they were sentenced;

      (2) The percentage of residents in need of substance abuse treatment and the programming interventions provided to assist residents;

      (3) A review of the program and policies of the facility;

      (4) The educational and literacy programs available to the residents, including the educational level of residents, the number of residents requiring special education and related services, including school attendance requirements, the number of residents who are educated in the alternative school and the reasons for such education;

      (5) The vocational training programs available to the residents and the actual number of residents enrolled in each training program, including all vocational attendance requirements;

      (6) The delinquency recidivism rates of such residents, which shall include the number of children discharged to residential placement, the number of children discharged due to expiration of the period of commitment and the number of children returned to the Connecticut Juvenile Training School;

      (7) The diagnosis of each resident after intake assessment;

      (8) The costs associated with the operation of the training school, including staffing costs and average cost per resident;

      (9) Reintegration strategies and plans to transition the residents to their home communities; and

      (10) A review of safety and security issues that affect the host municipality.

      (b) The Department of Children and Families shall serve as administrative staff of the advisory group referred to in subsection (a) of this section.

      (c) Not later than February 4, 2004, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Children and Families shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary and human services and to the select committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children with respect to the Connecticut Juvenile Training School.

      (d) Each report required pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall summarize the information and recommendations specified in subsection (a) of this section and shall also include such other information that the Department of Children and Families has identified as requiring immediate legislative action.

      (P.A. 03-251, S. 2, 3; P.A. 04-257, S. 98, 99; P.A. 11-105, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 03-251 effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 04-257 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (d), effective June 14, 2004; P.A. 11-105 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting reference to public safety committee and adding new Subdiv. (10) re review of safety and security issues, effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 17a-7a. Standard leave and release policies for delinquent children committed to department. Regulations. (a) The Commissioner of Children and Families shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to establish standard leave and release policies for juvenile delinquents committed to the Department of Children and Families and assigned to state facilities and private residential programs. Such regulations shall provide that juvenile delinquents shall not be eligible for:

      (1) Any leave without an initial sixty-day evaluation of fitness and security risk, including a trial leave not exceeding one day; or

      (2) Any leave or release without (A) an evaluation of fitness and security risk, (B) the assignment of supervision and clear identification of custody of a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult, (C) confidential notification of local police for a leave or release granted to a serious juvenile offender, and (D) a determination of eligibility immediately prior to granting the leave or release of a delinquent.

      (b) The commissioner may waive the requirement for a sixty-day evaluation of fitness and security risk pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section for a juvenile delinquent who is transferred from one facility to another if the juvenile delinquent has had a satisfactory sixty-day evaluation of fitness and security risk pursuant to said subdivision.

      (P.A. 97-130; P.A. 11-156, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 11-156 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same to insert Subdiv. designators and make conforming and technical changes, and added Subsec. (b) re waiver of sixty-day evaluation of fitness and security risk re transfer.

      Sec. 17a-8. (Formerly Sec. 17-415b). Custody of children and youths committed to commissioner as delinquent. Term, escape, violation of parole, return to custody. Vocational parole. (a) All children and youths who are or have been committed to the custody of the Commissioner of Children and Families as delinquent shall remain in such custody until the earliest of the following: (1) The date such commitment expires as provided by order of the Superior Court, (2) the date such commitment terminates as provided by order of the Superior Court, or (3) the date the child or youth attains the age of twenty. Any child or youth who while placed in an institution administered by the Department of Children and Families escapes from such institution or any child or youth who violates the terms or conditions of parole may be returned to actual custody. The request of the Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee, shall be sufficient warrant to authorize any officer of the Department of Children and Families or any officer authorized by law to serve criminal process within this state to return any such child or youth into actual custody; and any such officer, police officer or constable shall arrest and hold any such child or youth when so requested, without written warrant.

      (b) If the commissioner finds that a child or youth committed to his custody as delinquent who is fourteen years of age or older cannot benefit from continued school attendance and if the commissioner further finds that such person may benefit from part or full-time employment at some useful occupation, the commissioner may place the child or youth on vocational parole, under the supervision of an employee of the department. For the purposes of this section, the limitations of subsection (a) of section 31-23, on the employment of minors under the age of sixteen years, shall not apply for the duration of such vocational parole.

      (P.A. 74-268, S. 2, 3; P.A. 75-524, S. 12, 30; P.A. 76-436, S. 588, 681; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; P.A. 00-99, S. 53, 154; P.A. 06-196, S. 106; P.A. 11-157, S. 5.)

      History: P.A. 75-524 replaced "person(s)" with "child(ren) or youth" and added Subsec. (b) re vocational parole; P.A. 76-436 replaced juvenile court with superior court, effective July 1, 1978; Sec. 17-415b transferred to Sec. 17a-8 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. 00-99 deleted reference to sheriff in Subsec. (a), effective December 1, 2000; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 11-157 amended Subsec. (a) to designate existing provisions re expiration and termination as Subdivs. (1) and (2), add Subdiv. (3) re age and provide that custody continues until earliest of the date of expiration or termination of commitment or the date the child or youth attains the age of 20, and made technical changes in Subsec. (b).

      Sec. 17a-9. (Formerly Sec. 17-417). Appointment of deputy commissioners, directors and administrative heads. (a) The commissioner shall appoint, after consultation with the state advisory council, and may remove in a like manner, two deputy commissioners who shall be in the unclassified service. The deputy commissioner for program services shall be a clinically competent professional person experienced in one or more fields of children's services and in the administration of such services, and shall be responsible for the supervision of all clinical treatment and program services of the department. The deputy commissioner of administrative services shall have experience in business or institutional administration and shall be responsible for the organizational and general administrative services of the department.

      (b) The commissioner shall appoint, after consultation with the state advisory council, and may remove in like manner, not more than two program directors who shall be in the unclassified service, provided the title or duties of any director appointed pursuant to this subsection may be changed as the commissioner deems necessary after consultation with the state advisory council. Such directors may oversee community programs and services and the operation of institutions and facilities.

      (c) The commissioner shall, in accordance with chapter 67 and after consultation with the state advisory council, appoint the administrative heads of all of the institutions and facilities transferred to the department and such other institutions and facilities as now are or hereafter may be established by or transferred to the department. Such administrative heads shall have skill and experience in the administration of children's services and shall manage their institutions and facilities in accordance with the regulations and orders of the commissioner.

      (d) The commissioner shall, after consultation with the state advisory council, appoint and may remove in a like manner, up to six regional directors who shall be in the unclassified service. Each regional director shall have skill and experience in the field of children's services and in the administration of such services. Each regional director shall be subject to the direction of the commissioner and shall be responsible for the operation and administration of services provided or funded by the department in the regions created by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (a) of section 17a-30.

      (1969, P.A. 664, S. 8; P.A. 75-400, S. 1, 2; 75-524, S. 6, 30; P.A. 79-104; P.A. 87-518, S. 2, 5; P.A. 93-216, S. 1; P.A. 95-339, S. 7, 8; P.A. 05-246, S. 2; P.A. 11-105, S. 6.)

      History: P.A. 75-400 included two assistant superintendents; P.A. 75-524 specified council's advisory status, increased number of deputy commissioners to two and specified their qualifications and duties, and replaced previous provisions re appointments of division and institution heads with new Subsecs. (b) and (c); P.A. 79-104 amended Subsec. (b) to allow change in director's duties or titles after consultation with council; P.A. 87-518 inserted new Subsec. (b), authorizing appointment of six regional directors, and two assistant directors for each regional director, and relettered remaining subsections accordingly; Sec. 17-417 transferred to Sec. 17a-9 in 1991; P.A. 93-216 amended Subsec. (a) to increase number of deputy commissioners from two to three by separating support services as separate position, amended Subsec. (b) to replace directors with administrators and to delete provisions re assistant regional directors and amended Subsec. (c) to delete provisions requiring appointment of persons to fill specified directorships; P.A. 95-339 amended Subsec. (a) to reduce the number of deputy commissioners from three to two and to delete language describing the experience required for and the responsibilities of the eliminated position of deputy commissioner for support services, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 05-246 deleted former Subsec. (b) re appointment and qualification of regional administrators, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as Subsecs. (b) and (c) and made a technical change in redesignated Subsec. (b), effective July 8, 2005; P.A. 11-105 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting provision requiring that directors be appointed in accordance with Ch. 67, adding requirement that not more than 2 program directors be appointed and adding provisions specifying that program directors be in the unclassified service and allowing directors to oversee programs, services and operations and added Subsec. (d) re appointment of regional directors, effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 17a-10. (Formerly Sec. 17-418). Custody of committed children. Support and health services. Extension or termination of commitment. (a) Any child committed to the department by the Superior Court shall be deemed to be within the custody of the commissioner until such commitment terminates as provided in subsection (a) of section 17a-8.

      (b) The commissioner shall pay for the support and maintenance of any delinquent child who is in residence in any of the department's institutions or facilities or in transit from one institution or facility to another. The commissioner, in the commissioner's sole discretion, may, if the commissioner has sufficient funds, pay for the support and maintenance of any other child or youth who is in the custody of the commissioner. If a child is in the custody of the commissioner and is also committed to the Commissioner of Social Services, the Commissioner of Social Services shall pay for such child's support and maintenance when such child is living elsewhere than in an institution or facility of the Department of Children and Families, unless there is other provision for such child's support. Nothing in this section shall exempt any person from liability of support of children or youths under the supervision of the commissioner, when otherwise provided by law.

      (c) When deemed in the best interests of a child in the custody of the commissioner, the commissioner, his designee, a superintendent or assistant superintendent or, when the child is in transit between department facilities, a designee of the commissioner, may authorize, on the advice of a physician licensed to practice in the state, medical treatment, including surgery, to insure the continued good health or life of the child. Any of said persons may, when he deems it in the best interests of the child, authorize, on the advice of a dentist licensed to practice in the state, dentistry, including dental surgery, to insure the continued good health of the child. Upon such authorization, the commissioner shall exercise due diligence to inform the parents or guardian prior to taking such action, and in all cases shall send notice to the parents or guardian by letter to their last-known address informing them of the actions taken, of their necessity and of the outcome, but in a case where the commissioner fails to notify, such failure will not affect the validity of the authorization.

      (d) If the Superior Court requests a report on any committed child, the commissioner shall be responsible for preparing and transmitting such report to the requesting court. Not more than sixty days nor less than thirty days prior to the expiration of the original commitment of any child to the department, the commissioner may file a motion for an extension of commitment pursuant to the provisions of section 46b-141. If the commissioner, or the board of review pursuant to the provisions of section 17a-15, at any time during the commitment of any child, determines that termination of commitment of a child is in the best interest of such child, the commissioner or the board may terminate the commitment and such termination shall be effective without further action by the court.

      (1969, P.A. 664, S. 11; 1971, P.A. 295, S. 1; P.A. 75-420, S. 4, 6; P.A. 75-524, S. 7, 30; P.A. 76-436, S. 593, 681; P.A. 77-614, S. 521, 610; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 01-142, S. 10; P.A. 06-196, S. 107; P.A. 11-157, S. 6.)

      History: 1971 act made previous provisions Subsecs. (a) and (d) and inserted new Subsecs. (b) and (c) re payments for support and maintenance and re health supervision; P.A. 75-420 replaced welfare commissioner with commissioner of social services; P.A. 75-524 specified payments in Subsec. (b) to pertain to "delinquent" child, allowed payments if funds sufficient for other children "or youth" in commissioner's custody and specified that provisions do not exempt liable persons from their responsibility; P.A. 76-436 replaced juvenile court with superior court, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-614 replaced commissioner of social services with commissioner of human resources, effective January 1, 1979; Sec. 17-418 transferred to Sec. 17a-10 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. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 01-142 amended Subsec. (d) by changing "petition the court" to "file a motion"; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes in Subsec. (b), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 11-157 amended Subsec. (a) to reference termination of commitment as provided in Sec. 17a-8(a).

      Sec. 17a-12. (Formerly Sec. 17-420). Transfer of child or youth to other program, agency, organization or facility. (a) When the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, determines that a change of program is in the best interest of any child or youth committed or transferred to the department, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, may transfer such person to any appropriate resource or program administered by or available to the department, to any other state department or agency, or to any private agency or organization within or without the state under contract with the department; provided no child or youth voluntarily admitted to the department under section 17a-11 shall be placed or subsequently transferred to the Connecticut Juvenile Training School; and further provided no transfer shall be made to any institution, hospital or facility under the jurisdiction of the Department of Correction, except as authorized by section 18-87, unless it is so ordered by the Superior Court after a hearing. When, in the opinion of the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, a person fourteen years of age or older is dangerous to himself or herself or others or cannot be safely held at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, if a male, or at any other facility within the state available to the Commissioner of Children and Families, the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, may request an immediate hearing before the Superior Court on the docket for juvenile matters where such person was originally committed to determine whether such person shall be transferred to the John R. Manson Youth Institution, Cheshire, if a male, or the Connecticut Correctional Institution, Niantic, if a female. The court shall, within three days of the hearing, make such determination. If the court orders such transfer, the transfer shall be reviewed by the court every six months thereafter to determine whether it should be continued or terminated, unless the commissioner has already exercised the powers granted to the commissioner under section 17a-13 by removing such person from the John R. Manson Youth Institution, Cheshire or the Connecticut Correctional Institution, Niantic. Such transfer shall terminate upon the expiration of the commitment in such juvenile matter.

      (b) Unless ordered by the Superior Court at the time of commitment, no child or youth committed to the commissioner shall be placed in or transferred to a state-operated residential mental health facility under the jurisdiction of the commissioner without a hearing before the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. Such hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

      (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, (1) any delinquent child, if a male, may be placed at any time in the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, and (2) the commissioner may transfer any child or youth committed to the commissioner to any institution, hospital or facility for mentally ill children under the commissioner's jurisdiction for a period not to exceed fifteen days if the need for such emergency treatment is certified by a psychiatrist licensed to practice medicine by the state.

      (1969, P.A. 664, S. 14; 1971, P.A. 13, S. 1; 1972, P.A. 111, S. 1; P.A. 73-552; P.A. 75-228; 75-524, S. 9, 30; 75-567, S. 79, 80; P.A. 76-436, S. 594, 681; P.A. 78-300, S. 1; P.A. 86-186, S. 8; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; 93-216, S. 2; P.A. 99-26, S. 19, 39; P.A. 04-152, S. 3; P.A. 11-157, S. 7.)

      History: 1971 act added provisions re transfers from Connecticut School for Boys to Cheshire correctional institution of males 15 or older deemed dangerous to self or others; 1972 act allowed commissioner's designee to act under section; P.A. 73-552 included transfers of females deemed dangerous to self or others and reduced age minimum for transferees to 14; P.A. 75-228 added reference to facilities other than Connecticut School for Boys and Long Lane School; P.A. 75-524 replaced "person" with "child or youth", deleted references to transfers to facilities under department of mental health in previous provisions and added Subsec. (b) regulating such transfers; P.A. 75-567 allowed commissioner's designee to act under section provisions; P.A. 76-436 replaced "court of appropriate jurisdiction" with "superior court" and "juvenile court" with "superior court on the docket for juvenile matters", effective July 1, 1979; P.A. 78-300 made technical correction; P.A. 86-186 changed the name of the Connecticut Correctional Institution, Cheshire to the John R. Manson Youth Institution, Cheshire; Sec. 17-420 transferred to Sec. 17a-12 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); P.A. 93-216 deleted references to the Connecticut School for Boys throughout section; P.A. 99-26 replaced references to "Long Lane School" with "the Connecticut Juvenile Training School" where appearing and made technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality, 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. 04-152 amended Subsecs. (a) and (c) by adding references to "male" children held or placed at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, effective May 21, 2004; P.A. 11-157 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re transfer to terminate on expiration of commitment in juvenile matter.

      Sec. 17a-13. (Formerly Sec. 17-420a). Jurisdiction over person transferred to correctional facility at Cheshire or Niantic. Any person committed to the Department of Children and Families who is transferred to the John R. Manson Youth Institution, Cheshire, or the Connecticut Correctional Institution, Niantic, pursuant to section 17a-12, shall be deemed, while so transferred, to be under the jurisdiction of the Department of Correction except that the Commissioner of Children and Families shall retain his powers to remove such person and to place him in another facility or in the community or to terminate the commitment. The jurisdiction of the Department of Correction shall terminate upon the expiration of the commitment as provided in subsection (a) of section 17a-8.

      (1971, P.A. 13, S. 2; P.A. 78-300, S. 2; P.A. 86-186, S. 9; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; P.A. 11-157, S. 8.)

      History: P.A. 78-300 added reference to transfers to Niantic Correctional Institution; P.A. 86-186 changed the name of the Connecticut Correctional Institution, Cheshire to the John R. Manson Youth Institution, Cheshire; Sec. 17-420a transferred to Sec. 17a-13 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: In 1997 the phrase "Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families" was replaced editorially by the Revisors with "Commissioner of Children and Families" for consistency with customary statutory usage); P.A. 11-157 added provision re jurisdiction of Department of Correction to terminate on expiration of commitment under Sec. 17a-8(a).

      Sec. 17a-16a. School placement for children in out-of-home care. (a) For purposes of this section:

      (1) "Child" means (A) any school-aged child, (B) any child ages three to five, inclusive, who has been identified as eligible for special education pursuant to sections 10-76a to 10-76d, inclusive, or under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq., as amended from time to time, or (C) any child twenty-seven months to five years of age, inclusive, who has been referred to a planning and placement team to determine eligibility for special education and related services pursuant to sections 10-76a to 10-76d, inclusive, or under said Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, who is placed in out-of-home care by the commissioner pursuant to an order of temporary custody or an order of commitment, in accordance with section 46b-129.

      (2) "School of origin" means the school that the child is attending at the time the department places the child in out-of-home care or the school the child is attending at the time of any change of out-of-home care, by the commissioner.

      (3) "Receiving school" means the school that a child is attending following a school placement decision by the department in cases in which remaining in the school of origin is determined not to be in the child's best interests.

      (4) "School placement decision" means a decision made by the department regarding the school in which the child will attend while the child is in out-of-home care and does not refer to the provision of a free, appropriate public education to children eligible for special education.

      (5) "Department" means the Department of Children and Families.

      (6) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Children and Families.

      (b) (1) Whenever a child is placed in out-of-home care by the department pursuant to an emergency order under subsection (e) of section 17a-101g or an order of temporary custody or an order of commitment under section 46b-129, and at any subsequent change in out-of-home care, any such child may, if it is in the best interests of the child, as determined pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection, continue to attend his or her school of origin. Such child shall continue to be a resident of the school district in which such school is located during such attendance for purposes of chapters 168 to 170, inclusive, 172 and 173. The board of education for the school of origin shall continue to provide free school privileges to the child. If the child continues to attend his or her school of origin following placement in out-of-home care by the department, the local or regional board of education of the school of origin shall not be eligible to receive an excess cost grant pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 10-76d for the cost of such education, including, but not limited to, tuition and transportation costs.

      (2) Every decision by the department to place a child into out-of-home care under the provisions of subsection (e) of section 17a-101g and section 46b-129, and any subsequent change in out-of-home care, shall take into account the appropriateness of the school setting and the proximity to the school of origin.

      (3) (A) Whenever a child is placed in out-of-home care by the department pursuant to an emergency order under subsection (e) of section 17a-101g or an order of temporary custody or an order of commitment under section 46b-129, and at any subsequent change in out-of-home care, the department shall immediately determine whether it is in the best interests of the child to remain in the school of origin. There shall be a presumption that it is in the child's best interests to remain in the school of origin. The department shall provide written notice of its decision to the parties not later than three business days after the date on which the decision is made. Such notice shall identify the factors that form the basis of the department's decision. Any party may object to the department's decision not later than three business days after receipt of such notice. The child shall remain in the school of origin until the time for objection has passed and until any disagreement is resolved, except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision. The child shall be transported to the school of origin pursuant to subsection (c) of this section during any such disagreement except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision. Such disagreements shall be expeditiously resolved. The department shall bear the burden of proof that the school placement decision is in the child's best interests.

      (B) The school placement decision may be revisited at any time during the child's out-of-home care, if circumstances change, in order to ensure that the school placement decision remains in the best interests of the child. Notice of any subsequent decision to change the child's school placement decision shall be provided in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this subdivision. Any school placement decision made pursuant to this section may be challenged through the dispute resolution process for treatment plans. The child shall remain in the school of origin until any such disagreement is resolved, except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision and shall be provided with transportation in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.

      (C) If at any time the department determines that continued placement in the school of origin will jeopardize the child's immediate physical safety, the department may immediately remove the child from the school and shall notify the child's attorney, parents, guardian ad litem and surrogate parent, if any, by phone or by facsimile on the same business day. Any party may object to the decision to change the child's school placement not later than three business days after receipt of such notice. If any party objects to the change in school placement, the department shall hold an administrative hearing not later than three business days after the objection.

      (c) (1) If it is determined that it is in a child's best interests to remain in his or her school of origin, the department and the board of education for such school of origin shall collaborate on a transportation plan for such child from the town in which the child is placed to such school of origin. The department shall be responsible for any additional or extraordinary cost of such transportation beyond that to which the child would otherwise have access. The department shall maximize federal reimbursements under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, as amended, for costs of transporting Title IV-E eligible children. The department and the board of education for the school of origin shall consider cost-effective, reliable and safe transportation options.

      (2) If it is not in the best interests of the child to attend the school of origin, the department shall work with the board of education for such school of origin and the receiving school to ensure immediate and appropriate enrollment and attendance of the child in the receiving school in accordance with the provisions of subsection (e) of section 10-76d and section 10-253. The educational records of the child shall be provided by the school of origin to the receiving school, in accordance with the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, Public Law 110-351. Upon notification by the department of a decision to change a child's school placement and notwithstanding section 10-220h, the school of origin shall transmit to the receiving school, not later than one business day after receipt of such notification, all essential educational records for the child, including, but not limited to, the child's individualized education plan and behavioral intervention plan, if any, and all documents necessary for the receiving school to determine appropriate class placement and to provide educational services. The school of origin shall transfer nonessential records to the receiving school in accordance with section 10-220h.

      (3) Upon request of the local or regional board of education for a receiving school, the department shall provide the name, date of birth and school of origin for each child in the custody of the department who has been placed in foster care and is attending a receiving school located in the school district under the jurisdiction of such board.

      (P.A. 10-160, S. 1; P.A. 11-93, S. 21.)

      History: P.A. 10-160 effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 11-93 amended Subsec. (c) by adding Subdiv. (3) requiring department to provide information to boards of education identifying foster care children in school district.

      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. Payment system for child care facilities. (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 the commissioner's custody, or under the commissioner's 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 an 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 that provide on-campus educational services and are 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.

      (e) The Commissioner of Children and Families may establish a performance-based payment system for child care facilities that serve children in the custody of the commissioner and are licensed pursuant to section 17a-145. Any payments made pursuant to this subsection shall be reinvested in the child care facility to provide program enhancements and salary increases for direct care staff. Such payments shall not be considered income to the child care facility for purposes of establishing payments under the single cost accounting system established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

      (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; P.A. 10-179, S. 34; P.A. 11-25, 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; P.A. 10-179 amended Subsec. (a) by making technical changes, amended Subsec. (b) by specifying that payments are made to treatment centers that provide on-campus educational services and added Subsec. (e) re establishment of performance-based payment system for child care facilities and reinvestment of payments, effective May 7, 2010; P.A. 11-25 made technical changes in Subsec. (b).

      Sec. 17a-22b. Local needs assessment by community collaborative. Lead service agencies to coordinate care of children and youths enrolled in Connecticut Community KidCare. Community collaborative composition and responsibilities. (a) Each community collaborative shall, within available appropriations, (1) complete a local needs assessment which shall include objectives and performance measures, (2) specify the number of children and youths requiring behavioral health services, and (3) specify the number of children and youths actually receiving community-based and residential services and the type and frequency of such services. Each community collaborative shall submit its local needs assessment to the Commissioner of Children and Families and the Commissioner of Social Services.

      (b) The regional offices of the Department of Children and Families shall contract with lead service agencies, within available appropriations, to coordinate the care of all children and youths enrolled in Connecticut Community KidCare residing within their designated catchment areas, including children and youths with complex behavioral health service needs. The lead service agencies shall employ or subcontract for the employment of care coordinators to assist families in establishing and implementing individual service plans for children and youths with complex behavioral health service needs and to improve clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness. Parents shall be afforded a choice of contracted providers for authorized services.

      (c) Each community collaborative may establish the number of members and the type of representatives to ensure that the membership of such collaborative is appropriately balanced. The chief elected officers of municipalities served by a community collaborative may designate a member to serve as a representative of the chief elected officials. A community collaborative, at a minimum, shall consist of representatives from the local or regional board of education, special education program, youth services bureau, local departments of social services and public health, representatives from private organizations serving children and youths and a substantial number of parents of children and youths with behavioral health needs. A community collaborative shall participate in the regional advisory councils established under section 17a-30, provide outreach to community resources, coordinate behavioral health services by forming, with the consent of the family, child specific teams for children and youths with complex behavioral health service needs, conduct community need assessments to identify service gaps and service barriers, identify priority investment areas for the state and lead service agencies and provide public education and support. A community collaborative shall establish a governance structure, determine membership and identify or establish a fiscal agent.

      (d) The Commissioner of Children and Families and the Commissioner of Social Services shall, within available appropriations, provide or arrange for the administrative services necessary to operate Connecticut Community KidCare.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2, S. 4, 53; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 44, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131; P.A. 05-246, S. 4; P.A. 06-196, S. 116; P.A. 09-205, S. 6; P.A. 11-105, S. 7.)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 00-2 effective July 1, 2000; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 made substantial revisions to section, deleting an obsolete reference and designating existing provisions as Subsec. (a), amended Subsec. (a) by substituting "community collaborative" for "local system of care", substituting in Subdiv. (1) "performance" for "outcome", adding in Subdivs. (2) and (3) references to "youth", and deleting the definition of "local system of care", added Subsec. (b) re regional offices of department and lead service agencies, added Subsec. (c) re composition of a community collaborative and responsibilities of such collaborative, and added Subsec. (d) re Commissioners of Children and Families and Social Services providing or arranging for administrative services necessary to operate Connecticut Community KidCare, 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. 05-246 changed "regional offices" to "area offices" in Subsec. (b) and "regional advisory councils" to "area advisory councils" in Subsec. (c), effective July 8, 2005; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a), (b) and (c), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 09-205 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting former Subdiv. (4) re completion of annual self-evaluation process and review of discharge summaries, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 11-105 amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) by replacing "area" with "regional", effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 17a-22d. Establishment of organization with regional local chapters to provide family-to-family support, family advocates and assistance with individual service plan process and to encourage participation in Connecticut Community KidCare planning. The Commissioner of Children and Families may, within available appropriations, provide financial assistance for the establishment of an organization, with local chapters in each region served by the Department of Children and Families, that shall provide family-to-family support and family advocates for children, youths and their families, and when requested by the family, assist the family with the individual service plan process and otherwise encourage active family participation in treatment and Connecticut Community KidCare planning. Such organization shall assure that families have input into the development and implementation of their individual service plans, including those established pursuant to section 17a-127, and into policy and planning for, and the implementation and evaluation of, Connecticut Community KidCare.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 47, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131; P.A. 03-19, S. 34; P.A. 05-246, S. 5; P.A. 06-196, S. 118; P.A. 11-105, S. 8.)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 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, effective May 12, 2003; P.A. 05-246 changed "region" to "area", effective July 8, 2005; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change, effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 11-105 replaced "area" with "region", effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 17a-22j. Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council. Members. Duties. (a) There is established a Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council which shall advise the Commissioners of Children and Families, Social Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services on the planning and implementation of the Behavioral Health Partnership.

      (b) The council shall consist of the following members:

      (1) Four appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; two of whom are representatives of general or specialty psychiatric hospitals; one of whom is an adult with a psychiatric disability; and one of whom is an advocate for adults with psychiatric disabilities;

      (2) Four appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, two of whom are parents of children who have a behavioral health disorder or have received child protection or juvenile justice services from the Department of Children and Families; one of whom has expertise in health policy and evaluation; and one of whom is an advocate for children with behavioral health disorders;

      (3) Two appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; one of whom is a primary care provider serving adults or children in the Medicaid program; and one of whom is a child psychiatrist serving children pursuant to the HUSKY Plan;

      (4) Two appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; one of whom is an advocate for adults with substance use disorders; and one of whom is a representative of school-based health clinics;

      (5) Two appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; one of whom is a provider of community-based psychiatric services for adults; and one of whom is a provider of residential treatment for children;

      (6) Two appointed by the minority leader of the Senate one of whom is a provider of community-based services for children with behavioral health problems and one of whom is a member of the Council on Medical Assistance Program Oversight;

      (7) Four appointed by the Governor; two of whom are representatives of general or specialty psychiatric hospitals and two of whom are parents of children who have a behavioral health disorder or have received child protection or juvenile justice services from the Department of Children and Families;

      (8) The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services, public health and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, or their designees;

      (9) Four appointed by the chairpersons of the Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council; one of whom is a representative of a home health care agency providing behavioral health services; one of whom is a provider of substance use disorder treatment services; one of whom is an adult in recovery from a psychiatric disability; and one of whom is a parent or family member of an adult with a serious behavioral health disorder;

      (10) Eight nonvoting ex-officio members, one each appointed by the Commissioner of Social Services, the Commissioner of Children and Families, the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Commissioner of Developmental Services and the Commissioner of Education to represent his or her department, one appointed by the Chief Court Administrator of the Judicial Branch to represent the Court Support Services Division and one each appointed by the State Comptroller and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to represent said offices; and

      (11) One representative from each administrative services organization under contract with the Department of Social Services to provide such services for recipients of assistance under Medicaid, HUSKY Plan, Part A and Part B and the Charter Oak Health Plan, to be nonvoting ex-officio members.

      (c) All appointments to the council shall be made no later than July 1, 2005. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.

      (d) On or after July 1, 2010, the members of the Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council shall select the chairpersons of the council from among the members of the council. Such chairpersons shall convene the first meeting of the council, which shall be held not later than August 1, 2005. The council shall meet not less than six times a year thereafter.

      (e) The Joint Committee on Legislative Management shall provide administrative support to the chairpersons and assistance in convening the council's meetings.

      (f) The council shall make specific recommendations on matters related to the planning and implementation of the Behavioral Health Partnership which shall include, but not be limited to: (1) Review of any contracts entered into by the Departments of Children and Families, Social Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services with any administrative services organizations, to assure that the administrative services organization's decisions are based solely on clinical management criteria developed by the clinical management committee established in section 17a-22k; (2) review of behavioral health services pursuant to Title XIX and Title XXI of the Social Security Act to assure that federal revenue is being maximized; (3) review of behavioral health services under the Charter Oak Health Plan; and (4) review of periodic reports on the program activities, finances and outcomes, including reports from the director of the Behavioral Health Partnership on achievement of service delivery system goals, pursuant to section 17a-22i. The council may conduct or cause to be conducted an external, independent evaluation of the Behavioral Health Partnership.

      (P.A. 05-280, S. 95; P.A. 06-188, S. 28, 29; P.A. 08-95, S. 1; P.A. 10-43, S. 11; 10-119, S. 4; 10-179, S. 71; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1, S. 46, 63; P.A. 11-44, S. 168.)

      History: P.A. 05-280 effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 06-188 amended Subsec. (b) to increase the number of nonvoting ex-officio members from four to seven and provide for appointment of the additional members by the Commissioner of Education, the State Comptroller and the Office of Health Care Access in Subdiv. (5), to add new Subdiv. (6) authorizing chairpersons of council to appoint one or more consumers to the council and to redesignate existing Subdiv. (6) as Subdiv. (7), and amended Subsec. (c) to allow for appointment of additional consumers to council after July 1, 2005; P.A. 08-95 amended Subsec. (b) by adding new Subdivs. (1) to (6) transferring council membership appointment authority from chairpersons of advisory council on Medicaid managed care to legislative leaders of General Assembly, by adding new Subdiv. (7) providing Governor with authority to appoint four members to the council, by renumbering existing Subdivs. (1) to (3) and (5) to (7) as Subdivs. (8) to (13) and by deleting former Subdiv. (4); P.A. 10-43 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change in Subdiv. (8) and to increase from 7 to 8 the number of nonvoting ex-officio members, authorize 1 member to be appointed by Chief Court Administrator of Judicial Branch to represent Court Support Services Division and make technical changes in Subdiv. (11), effective May 18, 2010; P.A. 10-119 amended Subsec. (a) by adding "and Mental Health and Addiction Services", amended Subsec. (b) by substituting "adults or children in the Medicaid program" for "children pursuant to the HUSKY Plan" in Subdiv. (3), deleting "either an adult with a substance use disorder or" in Subdiv. (4), substituting "psychiatric" for "behavioral health" in Subdiv. (5), deleting former Subdivs. (9) and (10), adding new Subdiv. (9) re 4 members appointed by chairpersons of Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council, redesignating existing Subdiv. (11) as new Subdiv. (10) and adding Commissioner of Developmental Services therein, deleting former Subdiv. (12) and redesignating existing Subdiv. (13) as new Subdiv. (11), amended Subsec. (c) by deleting provision re chairpersons' authority to appoint additional consumers to council, amended Subsec. (d) by substituting "not less than six times a year" for "at least monthly" re council meetings, amended Subsec. (f) by adding "Mental Health and Addiction Services", changing "contract" to "contracts" and changing "administrative services organization" to "administrative services organizations" in Subdiv. (1), adding new Subdiv. (3) re review of behavioral health services under Charter Oak Health Plan and redesignating existing Subdiv. (3) as Subdiv. (4) and deleted former Subsec. (g) re annual report, effective June 7, 2010; P.A. 10-179 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting provision re appointment of member of advisory council on Medicaid managed care in Subdiv. (6), by deleting provision re appointment by Office of Health Care Access of ex-officio member in Subdiv. (11) and by replacing provision re appointment of representatives from Medicaid managed care organizations with provision re appointment of representatives of certain administrative services organizations in Subdiv. (13), amended Subsec. (d) by replacing provision re chairpersons of advisory council on Medicaid managed care to select council's chairpersons from among members of Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council with provision re members of Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council to select chairpersons from among members of council, effective July 1, 2010; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 10-1 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing "one" with "two" re number of appointments to council by Senate minority leader and requiring 1 of the appointees to be member of advisory council on Medicaid care management oversight in Subdiv. (6) and by making a technical change in Subdiv. (10), effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 11-44 amended Subsec. (b)(6) by replacing "advisory council on Medicaid care management oversight" with "Council on Medical Assistance Program Oversight", effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 17a-22aa. Availability of flexible emergency funding for children with psychiatric disabilities. The Commissioner of Children and Families, in consultation with the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, shall, within available appropriations, maintain the availability of flexible emergency funding for children with psychiatric disabilities who are not under the supervision of the Department of Children and Families.

      (P.A. 05-280, S. 87; P.A. 11-215, S. 7.)

      History: P.A. 05-280 effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 11-215 deleted requirement that commissioner consult with Community Mental Health Strategy Board.

      Sec. 17a-24. (Formerly Sec. 17-428). Regulation of motor vehicles and roadways by superintendents of institutions. The superintendent of any institution in the Department of Children and Families, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Children and Families and the State Traffic Commission, may: (1) Prohibit, limit, restrict or regulate the parking of vehicles; (2) determine speed limits; (3) install stop signs; (4) restrict roads or portions thereof to one-way traffic; (5) designate the location of crosswalks on any portion of any road or highway upon the grounds of the respective institutions; and (6) erect and maintain signs designating such prohibitions or restrictions. Security officers or institutional patrolmen appointed to act as state policemen on state institution grounds under the provisions of section 29-18, may arrest or issue summons for violation of such regulations, restrictions or prohibitions. Any person who fails to comply with any such prohibition or restriction shall be fined not more than five dollars, and the court or traffic or parking authority having jurisdiction of traffic or parking violations in the town in which the institution is located shall have jurisdiction of violations of this section.

      (P.A. 75-524, S. 17, 30; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; P.A. 11-256, S. 4.)

      History: Sec. 17-428 transferred to Sec. 17a-24 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. 11-256 added provision re installation of stop signs, inserted numeric Subdiv. designators and made technical changes.

      Sec. 17a-27c. Connecticut Juvenile Training School project: Transfer of property; entry upon private property; payment of damages. Section 17a-27c is repealed, effective July 1, 2011.

      (P.A. 99-26, S. 8, 39; P.A. 03-278, S. 55; P.A. 11-51, S. 90, 223.)

      Sec. 17a-27f. Connecticut Juvenile Training School. Public safety committee. Security and alert system. Section 17a-27f is repealed, effective July 1, 2011.

      (P.A. 99-26, S. 26, 39; P.A. 11-105, S. 11.)

      Sec. 17a-28. (Formerly Sec. 17-431). Definitions. Confidentiality and access to records; exceptions. Procedure for aggrieved persons. (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) a parent whose parental rights have not been terminated or current guardian of an individual described in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, if such individual is a minor; or (C) the authorized representative of an individual described in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, if such individual 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, guardian ad litem, attorney, 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, such person's attorney or authorized representative to disclose specified information, within a limited time period, regarding the person to specifically identified individuals or entities;

      (5) "Records" means information created or obtained in connection with the department's child protection activities or other 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;

      (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 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, unless the department receives written consent from the person or as provided in this section, section 17a-101g or section 17a-101k. 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. Any employee of the department who in the ordinary course of such person's employment has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that another employee has engaged in the unauthorized disclosure of records shall report in writing such unauthorized disclosure of records to the commissioner. The report shall include the name of the person disclosing the information and the nature of the information disclosed and to whom it was disclosed, if known.

      (c) Records that (1) contain privileged communications, or (2) are confidential pursuant to any federal law or regulation shall not be disclosed except as authorized by law.

      (d) Any information disclosed from a person's record shall not be further disclosed to another individual or entity without the written consent of the person, except pursuant to (1) section 19a-80 or 19a-80f, provided such disclosure is otherwise permitted pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, or (2) the order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

      (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 licensed 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 name of any individual who reports suspected abuse or neglect of a child or youth or cooperates with an investigation 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 pursuant to subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of this section to (1) an employee of the department for reasons reasonably related to the business of the department; (2) a law enforcement officer for purposes of investigating abuse or neglect of a child or youth; (3) a state's attorney for purposes of investigating or prosecuting abuse or neglect of a child or youth; (4) an assistant attorney general or other legal counsel representing the department; (5) a judge of the Superior Court and all necessary parties in a court proceeding pursuant to section 17a-112 or 46b-129, or a criminal prosecution involving child abuse or neglect; (6) a state child care licensing agency; or (7) the executive director of any institution, school or facility or superintendent of schools pursuant to section 17a-101i.

      (g) The department shall disclose records, subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, without the consent of the person who is the subject of the record, to:

      (1) The person named in the record or such person's authorized representative, provided such disclosure shall be limited to information (A) contained in the record about such person or about such person's biological or adoptive minor child, if such person's parental rights to such child have not been terminated; and (B) information identifying an individual who reported abuse or neglect of the person, including any tape recording or an oral report pursuant to section 17a-103, if a court determines that there is reasonable cause to believe the reporter knowingly made a false report or that the interests of justice require disclosure;

      (2) An employee of the department for any purpose reasonably related to the business of the department;

      (3) A guardian ad litem or attorney appointed to represent a child or youth in litigation affecting the best interests of the child or youth;

      (4) The Attorney General, any assistant attorney general or any other legal counsel retained to represent the department during the course of a legal proceeding involving the department or an employee of the department;

      (5) The Child Advocate or the Child Advocate's designee;

      (6) The Chief Public Defender or the Chief Public Defender's designee;

      (7) The Chief State's Attorney or the Chief State's Attorney's designee for purposes of investigating or prosecuting an allegation of child abuse or neglect, provided such prosecuting authority shall have access to records of a delinquency defendant, who is not being charged with an offense related to child abuse, only while the case is being prosecuted and after obtaining a release;

      (8) A state or federal law enforcement officer for purposes of investigating an allegation of child abuse or neglect;

      (9) Any foster or prospective adoptive parent, if the records pertain to a child or youth currently placed with the foster or prospective adoptive parent, or a child or youth being considered for placement with the foster or prospective adoptive parent, and the records are necessary to address the social, medical, psychological or educational needs of the child or youth, provided no information identifying a biological parent is disclosed without the permission of such biological parent;

      (10) The Governor, when requested in writing in the course of the Governor's official functions, the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee, the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and the judiciary and the select committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children, when requested in writing in the course of said committees' official functions, and upon a majority vote of said committees, provided no names or other identifying information is disclosed unless it is essential to the gubernatorial or legislative purpose;

      (11) The Department of Public Health for the purpose of (A) determining the suitability of a person to care for children in a facility licensed pursuant to section 19a-77, 19a-80 or 19a-87b; (B) determining the suitability of such person for licensure; or (C) an investigation conducted pursuant to section 19a-80f;

      (12) The Department of Developmental Services, to allow said department to determine eligibility, facilitate enrollment and plan for the provision of services to a child who is a client of said department and who is applying to enroll in or is enrolled in said department's voluntary services program. At the time that a parent or guardian completes an application for enrollment of a child in the Department of Developmental Services' voluntary services program, or at the time that said department updates a child's annual individualized plan of care, said department shall notify such parent or guardian that the Department of Children and Families may provide records to the Department of Developmental Services for the purposes specified in this subdivision without the consent of such parent or guardian;

      (13) A state agency that licenses or certifies a person to educate or care for children or youth;

      (14) A judge or employee of a probate court who requires access to such records in order to perform such judge's or employee's official duties;

      (15) 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, or a judge of the Superior Court in a criminal prosecution for purposes of in-camera inspection whenever (A) the court has ordered that the record be provided to the court; or (B) a party to the proceeding has issued a subpoena for the record;

      (16) A judge of the Superior Court and all necessary parties in a family violence proceeding when such records concern family violence with respect to the child who is the subject of the proceeding or the parent of such child who is the subject of the proceeding;

      (17) The Auditors of Public Accounts, or their representative, provided no information identifying the subject of the record is disclosed unless such information is essential to an audit conducted pursuant to section 2-90;

      (18) 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;

      (19) The Department of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of criminal history records checks pursuant to subsection (e) of section 14-44, provided information disclosed pursuant to this subdivision shall be limited to information obtained in an investigation conducted pursuant to section 17a-101g and information contained in the abuse and neglect registry pursuant to section 17a-101k; and

      (20) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for the purpose of treatment planning for young adults who have transitioned from the care of the Department of Children and Families.

      (h) The department may, subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, disclose records without the consent of the person who is the subject of the record, to:

      (1) An employee or former employee of the department or such employee or former employee's authorized representative for purposes of participating in any court, administrative or disciplinary proceeding, provided such disclosure shall be limited to records that are necessary to the proceeding, as determined by the department;

      (2) Multidisciplinary teams, as described in section 17a-106a;

      (3) A provider of professional services for a child, youth or parent referred to such provider, provided such disclosure is limited to information necessary to provide services to the child, youth or parent;

      (4) An individual or agency under contract with the department for the purposes of identifying and assessing a potential foster or adoptive home for a child or youth, provided no information identifying a biological parent of a child or youth is disclosed without the permission of such biological parent;

      (5) The Department of Social Services for the purpose of (A) determining the suitability of a person for payment from the Department of Social Services for providing child care; or (B) promoting the health, safety and welfare of the child or youth;

      (6) A physician examining a child with respect to whom abuse or neglect is suspected and who is authorized pursuant to section 17a-101f to keep the child in the custody of a hospital when such physician requires the information in a record of the department to determine whether to keep the child or youth in protective custody;

      (7) An individual who reports child abuse or neglect pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101c, inclusive, or section 17a-103, who made a report of abuse or neglect, provided the information disclosed is limited to (A) the status of the investigation conducted pursuant to section 17a-101g resulting from the individual's report; and (B) in general terms, the action taken by the department as a result of such investigation;

      (8) An individual or organization engaged in the business of medical, psychological or psychiatric diagnosis and treatment and who is treating an individual who has perpetrated abuse or neglect, as determined in an investigation conducted pursuant to section 17a-101g, or who is unwilling or unable to protect a child or youth from abuse or neglect, as determined in an investigation conducted pursuant to section 17a-101g, when the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, determines that the disclosure is necessary to accomplish the objectives of diagnosis or treatment;

      (9) A court or public agency in another state or a federally recognized Indian tribe, that is responsible for investigating child abuse or neglect, preventing child abuse and neglect or providing services to families at risk for abuse or neglect, for the purpose of such investigation, prevention or providing services to such families;

      (10) An individual conducting bona fide research, provided no information identifying the subject of the record is disclosed unless (A) such information is essential to the purpose of the research; and (B) the department has given written approval for the use of such information;

      (11) An individual or agency involved in the collection of fees for services, provided such information is limited to the name and address of the person who received the services and the fees for 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, the Department of Children and Families may disclose the following: (A) That the person was, in fact, provided services by the department; (B) the dates and duration of service; and (C) a general description of the service, including 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 an institution or facility;

      (12) A law enforcement officer or state's attorney if there is reasonable cause to believe that a child or youth is being abused or neglected or at risk of being abused or neglected as a result of any suspected criminal activity by any person;

      (13) Any individual interviewed as part of an investigation conducted pursuant to section 17a-101g, who is not otherwise entitled to such information, provided such disclosure of information is limited to: (A) The general nature of the allegations contained in the reports; (B) the identity of the child or youth alleged to have been abused or neglected; and (C) information necessary to effectively conduct the investigation;

      (14) Any individual, when information concerning an incident of abuse or neglect has been made public or the commissioner reasonably believes publication of such information is likely, provided such disclosure is limited to: (A) Whether the department has received any report in accordance with sections 17a-101a to 17a-101c, inclusive, or section 17a-103; (B) in general terms, any action taken by the department, provided: (i) Names or other individually identifiable information of the minor victim or other family members is not disclosed, regardless of whether such individually identifiable information is otherwise available, and (ii) the name or other individually identifiable information of the person suspected to be responsible for the abuse or neglect is not disclosed unless such person has been arrested for a crime due to such abuse or neglect; (C) confirmation or denial of the accuracy of information that has been made public; and (D) notwithstanding the provisions of section 46b-124, in general terms, the legal status of the case;

      (15) Any individual for the purpose of locating a missing parent, child or youth, provided such disclosure is limited to information that assists in locating such missing parent, child or youth;

      (16) Any individual, when the information or findings concern an incident of abuse or neglect that resulted in a child or youth fatality or near fatality of a child or youth, provided disclosure of such information or findings is in general terms and does not jeopardize a pending investigation;

      (17) A court of competent jurisdiction whenever an employee of the department is subpoenaed and ordered to testify about such records;

      (18) An individual who is not employed by the department who arranges, performs or assists in performing functions or activities on behalf of the department, including, but not limited to, data analysis, processing or administration, utilization reviews, quality assurance, practice management, consultation, data aggregation and accreditation services.

      (i) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (e) to (h), inclusive, of this section, the department may refuse to disclose records to any individual, provided the department gives such individual notice (1) that records are being withheld; (2) of the general nature of the records being withheld; (3) of the department's reason for refusing to disclose the records; and (4) of the individual's right to judicial relief pursuant to subsection (j) of this section.

      (j) (1) Any person or individual aggrieved by a violation of subsection (b) or (d), subsections (f) to (h), inclusive, or subsection (k) of this section, or a person's authorized representative, may seek judicial relief in the manner prescribed in section 52-146j.

      (2) Any person, individual or authorized representative denied access to records by the commissioner under subdivision (i) 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 a hearing and an in camera review of the records in question, shall issue such an order unless it determines that permitting disclosure of all or any portion of the record (A) would be contrary to the best interests of the person or the person's authorized representative; (B) could reasonably result in the risk of harm to any individual; or (C) would contravene the public policy of the state.

      (k) All written records disclosed to another individual or agency shall bear a stamp requiring confidentiality in accordance with the provisions of this section. Such records shall not be disclosed to anyone without the 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 on such disclosure, shall accompany the 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.

      (l) Whenever any person, attorney or authorized representative, having obtained access to any record, believes there are factually inaccurate entries or materials contained in such record, such person, attorney or authorized representative may add a statement to the record setting forth what such person, attorney or authorized representative believes to be an accurate statement of those facts and such statement shall become a permanent part of the record.

      (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; P.A. 09-142, S. 1; 09-185, S. 1; 09-232, S. 101, 102; P.A. 10-93, S. 11; 10-144, S. 16; P.A. 11-51, S. 13; 11-93, S. 2; 11-167, S. 1.)

      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 conjunction 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; P.A. 09-142 added Subsec. (g)(13) re commissioner's authority to disclose records to Department of Developmental Services to determine eligibility, facilitate enrollment and plan for provision of services to a child through said department's voluntary services program, effective June 25, 2009; P.A. 09-185 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision requiring employees of department to report unauthorized disclosure of records and making a technical change; P.A. 09-232 amended Subsec. (f)(5) by redesignating existing provision as Subpara. (A) and adding Subpara. (B) re supplying records to Department of Public Health in connection with investigation pursuant to Sec. 19a-80f, and amended Subsec. (l) by adding Subdiv. (1) re disclosure of information pursuant to Sec. 19a-80f and designating existing exception as Subdiv. (2); P.A. 10-93 amended Subsec. (g)(13) by substituting "and who is applying for participation in said department's voluntary services program or enrolled in said program" for "but who is not yet participating in said department's voluntary services program" and by adding "or at the time that a child's annual individualized plan of care is updated" re notice to parent or guardian; P.A. 10-144 made a technical change in Subsec. (a)(6) and added Subsec. (f)(12) re disclosure of records to a judge of Superior Court and necessary parties in family violence proceeding when records concern family violence with respect to child who is subject of proceeding or parent of such child; P.A. 11-51 amended Subsec. (f)(10) to substitute "Chief Public Defender" for "Chief Child Protection Attorney", effective July 1, 2011; pursuant to P.A. 11-51, "Chief Child Protection Attorney" was changed editorially by the Revisors to "Chief Public Defender" in Subsec. (g)(6), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-93 amended Subsec. (f) by adding provision requiring disclosure of records concerning inclusion on Department of Children and Families child abuse and neglect registry in Subdiv. (8), adding Subpara. (C) requiring commissioner to provide records to the superintendent of schools for employment purposes, and making a technical change, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-167 amended Subsec. (a) by redefining "person", "authorized representative", "consent", "records" and "near fatality", amended Subsec. (b) by adding references to Secs. 17a-101g and 17a-101k, deleted former Subsec. (c) re disclosure of information made public, deleted former Subsec. (d) re availability of information concerning incidents resulting in a fatality or near fatality, added new Subsec. (c) re confidentiality of records containing privileged communications and records confidential under federal law, added new Subsec. (d) re further disclosure of information, amended Subsec. (e) by replacing "certified" with "licensed", deleted former Subsec. (f) re disclosure of records without consent, deleted former Subsec. (g) re records commissioner may disclose, deleted former Subsec. (h) re disclosure of information related to collection of fees for services, deleted former Subsec. (i) re confidentiality of the name of a reporter of child abuse or neglect, deleted former Subsec. (j) re confidentiality of the name of an individual who cooperates in an investigation, deleted former Subsec. (k) re disclosure of records to an employee for a disciplinary hearing, deleted former Subsec. (l) re further disclosure of information, deleted former Subsec. (m) re access to records concerning the person seeking access, deleted former Subsec. (n) re relief for aggrieved persons, deleted former Subsec. (o) re promulgation of regulations, added new Subsec. (f) re confidentiality of the name of a reporter of child abuse or neglect, added new Subsec. (g) requiring disclosure of records without consent, added new Subsec. (h) allowing disclosure of records without consent, added new Subsec. (i) allowing department to refuse to disclose records, added new Subsec. (j) re relief for aggrieved persons, added new Subsec. (k) requiring certain records to bear a confidentiality stamp and requiring a consent form to accompany those records, and added new Subsec. (l) re factually inaccurate records.

      Sec. 17a-30. (Formerly Sec. 17-434). Regional advisory councils. Appointments and terms. (a) The commissioner shall create distinct service regions and shall create in each such region, a regional advisory council to advise the commissioner and the regional director on the development and delivery of services of the department in that region and to facilitate the coordination of services for children, youths and their families in the region.

      (b) Each regional advisory council shall consist of no more than twenty-one persons, a majority of whom shall be persons who earn less than fifty per cent of their salaries from the provision of services to children, youths and their families, and the balance representative of private providers of human services throughout the region. The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, shall appoint one-third of the representatives of each group for a term of three years, one-third for a term of two years, and one-third for a term of one year. No person may serve more than two consecutive three-year terms. All subsequent appointments to replace those whose terms have expired shall be for a term of three years. No person may serve on more than one regional advisory council at a time. The regional director shall make a good faith effort to ensure that, to the extent possible, the membership is qualified and closely reflects the gender and racial diversity of the region. All members shall serve without compensation. Each regional advisory council shall elect two cochairpersons. Each regional advisory council shall meet at least quarterly, or more often at the call of the cochairpersons or a majority of the council members. The regional director, or a designee of the regional director, shall be an ex-officio member of the council without the right to vote. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or fifty per cent of all meetings during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned. A majority of the members in office, but not less than six members, shall constitute a quorum.

      (P.A. 75-524, S. 23, 30; P.A. 77-511, S. 2; P.A. 84-256, S. 13, 17; P.A 05-246, S. 7; P.A. 06-196, S. 119; P.A. 11-105, S. 9.)

      History: P.A. 77-511 specified Sec. 4-60n as it appears in 1975 edition of statutes; P.A. 84-256 specified facilitation of coordination of services as duty of councils, added meeting, attendance and quorum requirements, required that a majority of members of each council be persons who earn less than 50% of their salaries from provision of services to children, youth and their families, and deleted provision authorizing reimbursement of members for expenses incurred in performance of duties; Sec. 17-434 transferred to Sec. 17a-30 in 1991; P.A. 05-246 replaced provisions re regions with provisions re service areas and changed "regional advisory council" to "area advisory council" in Subsecs. (a) and (b), added reference to area director in Subsec. (a) and granted commissioner's designee appointment authority, restricted service to not more that two consecutive three-year terms, prohibited persons from serving on more than one area advisory council at a time, required area director to make good faith effort to ensure membership reflects gender and racial diversity of area, replaced provisions re chairman and vice-chairman with provisions re cochairpersons and made area director or designee ex-officio member of council in Subsec. (b), effective July 8, 2005; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes, effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 11-105 replaced "area" with "region" or "regional" and made conforming changes, effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 17a-55. Awarding of grants to community service programs based upon effectiveness. The Commissioner of Children and Families shall implement a system of awarding grants to community service programs whereby such programs are funded proportionate to their effectiveness in treating clients of the department. The evaluation of a program shall be based on (1) an analysis of program outcomes; (2) an assessment of regional needs for treatment services; and (3) the availability of the program to clients of the department. The Department of Children and Families shall collect, maintain and analyze the data to be used in the evaluation process on an ongoing basis. The commissioner shall impose a probationary period on a program found to be ineffective and shall propose requirements for the improvement of such a program. The commissioner shall determine the length of the probationary period and shall cease to fund a program which has not met the proposed requirements for improvement within such period.

      (P.A. 91-268, S. 2, 4; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; P.A. 05-246, S. 9; P.A. 11-105, S. 10.)

      History: 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. 05-246 amended Subdiv. (2) to delete "regional" and add provision re assessment of needs for treatment services in each service delivery area, effective July 8, 2005; P.A. 11-105 amended Subdiv. (2) by deleting reference to "service delivery area" and adding reference to "regional" needs for services, effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 17a-62. Commissioner of Children and Families to monitor certain at-risk children and youth. Annual report to General Assembly. On or before February 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Children and Families shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and the select committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children. The report shall include the following information, for the preceding calendar year, for children and youth in the custody of the Department of Children and Families: (1) The number and age of such children and youth who are living in a psychiatric hospital or out-of-state residential treatment center, the average length of stay for such children and youth, the number of children and youth who have overstayed their estimated placement time in such placements and an analysis of the reasons for the placements out of state and overstays; (2) the number and age of such children and youth who are runaways or homeless, including (A) the number of episodes of unauthorized absence from the department's care for one full day or more; (B) the total number of children and youth involved in such episodes and, of that number, (i) the number of children and youth having one such episode, (ii) the number of children and youth having two such episodes, (iii) the number of children and youth having three such episodes, and (iv) the number of children and youth having more than three such episodes; (C) the average number of children and youth who, without authorization, are absent from the department's care each day; (D) the number of children and youth having an episode of unauthorized absence from the department's care according to age group as follows: Those (i) under six years of age, (ii) six to nine years of age, (iii) ten to twelve years of age, (iv) thirteen to fifteen years of age, and (v) sixteen or seventeen years of age; (E) the number of days of unauthorized absence from the department's care according to the period of time absent as follows: (i) Less than two days, (ii) three to seven days, (iii) eight to fourteen days, (iv) fifteen to thirty days, (v) thirty-one to sixty days, (vi) sixty-one to one hundred twenty days, (vii) one hundred twenty-one to one hundred eighty days, and (viii) more than one hundred eighty days; (F) an analysis of the trends relating to runaways and homelessness; and (G) a description of the strategies employed and policies implemented by the department to address runaways and homelessness and to reduce the number and duration of episodes of absence from the department's care; (3) the number and age of children and youth who have a permanency plan of another planned permanency living arrangement and an analysis of the trends relating to permanency plans; and (4) the number and age of children and youth who have refused services offered by the department and an analysis of the trends relating to participation in services. The commissioner shall conduct case and service reviews for each child in the groups described in subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of this section.

      (P.A. 09-96, S. 1; P.A. 11-240, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 09-96 effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 11-240 amended Subdiv. (2) by replacing provision re number of days with Subparas. (A) to (E) and (G) re specific information to be included in report re runaway and homeless children and youth, effective July 1, 2011.

      Sec. 17a-62a. Homeless youth program. (a) As used in this section:

      (1) "Homeless youth" means a person under twenty-one years of age who is without shelter where appropriate care and supervision are available and who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, including a youth under the age of eighteen whose parent or legal guardian is unable or unwilling to provide shelter and appropriate care;

      (2) "Fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence" means a dwelling at which a person resides on a regular basis that adequately provides safe shelter, but does not include (A) a publicly or privately operated institutional shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations; (B) transitional housing; (C) a temporary placement with a peer, friend or family member who has not offered a permanent residence, residential lease or temporary lodging for more than thirty days; or (D) a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping place by human beings; and

      (3) "Aftercare services" means continued counseling, guidance or support for not more than six months following the provision of services.

      (b) The Department of Children and Families, within available appropriations, shall establish a program that provides one or more of the following services for homeless youth: Public outreach, respite housing, and transitional living services for homeless youth and youth at risk of homelessness. The department may enter into a contract with nonprofit organizations or municipalities to implement this section. Such program may have the following components:

      (1) A public outreach and drop-in component that provides youth drop-in centers with walk-in access to crisis intervention and ongoing supportive services, including one-to-one case management services on a self-referral basis and public outreach that locates, contacts and provides information, referrals and services to homeless youth and youth at risk of homelessness. Such component may include, but need not be limited to, information, referrals and services for (A) family reunification services, conflict resolution or mediation counseling; (B) respite housing, case management aimed at obtaining food, clothing, medical care or mental health counseling, counseling regarding violence, prostitution, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and pregnancy, and referrals to agencies that provide support services to homeless youth and youth at risk of homelessness; (C) education, employment and independent living skills; (D) aftercare services; and (E) specialized services for highly vulnerable homeless youth, including teen parents, sexually exploited youth and youth with mental illness or developmental disabilities;

      (2) A respite housing component that provides homeless youth with referrals and walk-in access to respite care on an emergency basis that includes voluntary housing, with private shower facilities, beds and at least one meal each day, and assistance with reunification with family or a legal guardian when required or appropriate. Services provided at respite housing may include, but need not be limited to, (A) family reunification services or referral to safe housing; (B) individual, family and group counseling; (C) assistance in obtaining clothing; (D) access to medical and dental care and mental health counseling; (E) education and employment services; (F) recreational activities; (G) case management, advocacy and referral services; (H) independent living skills training; and (I) aftercare services and transportation; and

      (3) A transitional living component that (A) assists homeless youth in finding and maintaining safe housing, and (B) includes rental assistance and related supportive services. Such component may include, but need not be limited to, (i) educational assessment and referral to educational programs; (ii) career planning, employment, job skills training and independent living skills training; (iii) job placement; (iv) budgeting and money management; (v) assistance in securing housing appropriate to needs and income; (vi) counseling regarding violence, prostitution, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, referral for medical services or chemical dependency treatment; and (vii) parenting skills, self-sufficiency support services or life skills training and aftercare services.

      (c) On or before February 1, 2012, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Children and Families shall submit a report regarding the program established under subsection (b) of this section, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the select committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children. The report shall include recommendations for any changes to the program to ensure that the best available services are being delivered to homeless youth and youth at risk of homelessness. The report shall include key outcome indicators and measures and shall set benchmarks for evaluating progress in accomplishing the purposes of subsection (b) of this section.

      (P.A. 10-179, S. 28, 30; P.A. 11-25, S. 3.)

      History: (Revisor's note: In codifying P.A. 10-179, S. 30, a reference to "section 1 of this act" was deemed by the Revisors to be a reference to "section 28 of this act" and therefore cited as "subsection (b) of this section" in Subsec. (c)); P.A. 11-25 made technical changes in Subsec. (a)(1) and (2) and Subsec. (b).