Connecticut 2026 Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 2 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 155 — AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND THE DATA LINK CONNECTICUT SYSTEM.

Last action — SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 11, 2026. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Ned Lamont (Democratic) on May 26, 2026.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 72% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    3 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (2 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill facilitates updates to the Data Link Connecticut system based on recommendations from the Department of Children and Families.

This legislation concerns improvements to the Data Link Connecticut system to enhance data sharing and services related to child welfare. It incorporates suggestions made by the Department of Children and Families.

What this means for you
  • Families: This may lead to improved support services for families interacting with the child welfare system.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

701 added · 807 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended SB 155 includes a requirement for the Department of Children and Families to provide an annual report starting in 2027. This report will include detailed data on service usage by race and ethnicity, and will assess trends to promote equal access to services. Additionally, it will track the number of children in the department's care who have siblings, how often they visit each other, and overall compliance with existing sibling visitation laws. These changes aim to enhance accountability and ensure that children and families receive fair treatment within the system.

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Senate General Assembly File No.
Substitute Senate Bill No.
5 February Session, 2026 Substitute Senate Bill No.
155 Public Act No.
155 Senate, March 9, 2026 The Committee on Children reported through SEN.
26-48 AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND THE DATA LINK CONNECTICUT SYSTEM.
MAHER, C.
of the 26th Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
(2) Data sufficient to demonstrate the Commissioner of Children and sSB155 / File No.
(2) Data sufficient to demonstrate the Commissioner of Children and Families' compliance with the provisions of subsections (a), (c) and (e) of section 17a-10a of the general statutes, as amended by this act, including the (A) total number of children who have one or more Substitute Senate Bill No.
5 1 sSB155 File No.
155 siblings and are in the care and custody of the commissioner pursuant to temporary placements or orders of commitment, (B) total number of such children who have had documented sibling visitation, and (C) number of sibling pairs involved in each placement;
5 Families' compliance with the provisions of subsections (a), (c) and (e) of section 17a-10a of the general statutes, as amended by this act, including the (A) total number of children who have one or more siblings and are in the care and custody of the commissioner pursuant to temporary placements or orders of commitment, (B) total number of such children who have had documented sibling visitation, and (C) number of sibling pairs involved in each placement;
(5) Information regarding the department's family assessment response program established pursuant to section 17a-101g of the general statutes, as amended by this act, including (A) the number of accepted reports of child abuse or neglect and the percentage of such reports assigned to such program, (B) the disposition of families assigned to such program, (C) the number of each type of reporter who made reports that were assigned to such program, (D) the number and percentage of reports assigned to such program that resulted in an investigation, (E) an analysis of the department's prior or subsequent involvement with each family that was the subject of a report assigned to such program, as applicable, (F) an analysis of the department's prior or subsequent involvement with each family assigned to a community sSB155 / File No.
(5) Information regarding the department's family assessment response program established pursuant to section 17a-101g of the general statutes, as amended by this act, including (A) the number of accepted reports of child abuse or neglect and the percentage of such reports assigned to such program, (B) the disposition of families assigned to such program, (C) the number of each type of reporter who made reports that were assigned to such program, (D) the number and percentage of reports assigned to such program that resulted in an investigation, (E) an analysis of the department's prior or subsequent involvement with each family that was the subject of a report assigned to such program, as applicable, (F) an analysis of the department's prior or subsequent involvement with each family assigned to a community partner agency, (G) a description of services commonly provided to Public Act No.
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5 partner agency, (G) a description of services commonly provided to families referred to the department's community support for families program, (H) a description of the department's staff development and training practices concerning report intake, (I) the number and percentage of families referred to the family assessment response program who were enrolled in the community support for families program, (J)the reasonsidentified by community providersfor families' discharge from services pursuant to subdivision (7) of subsection (g) of section 17a-101g of the general statutes, as amended by this act, categorized by race and ethnicity, (K) a comparison of the family needs identified and addressed by the department's community support for families program, and (L) an analysis of the efficacy of the department's risk and safety assessment practices, including information concerning the (i) methodology used to determine the reliability of such practices, (ii) utilization of evidence-based practices and tools, and (iii) effectiveness of such practices for identifying children at risk for abuse or neglect;
155 families referred to the department's community support for families program, (H) a description of the department's staff development and training practices concerning report intake, (I) the number and percentage of families referred to the family assessment response program who were enrolled in the community support for families program, (J)the reasonsidentified by community providersfor families' discharge from services pursuant to subdivision (7) of subsection (g) of section 17a-101g of the general statutes, as amended by this act, categorized by race and ethnicity, (K) a comparison of the family needs identified and addressed by the department's community support for families program, and (L) an analysis of the efficacy of the department's risk and safety assessment practices, including information concerning the (i) methodology used to determine the reliability of such practices, (ii) utilization of evidence-based practices and tools, and (iii) effectiveness of such practices for identifying children at risk for abuse or neglect;
(7) Information regarding the (A) methods used by the department to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory foster care licensing requirements, (B) methods used by the department to assess the needs of children and youths in foster care and provide support for foster parents to enable such parents to meet the needs of such children and youths, (C) safeguards employed by the department when licensing relative caregivers with histories of child abuse or neglect or psychiatric illness or criminal records, (D) processes used by the department to reverse substantiated findings of child abuse or neglect or child abuse sSB155 / File No.
(7) Information regarding the (A) methods used by the department to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory foster care licensing requirements, (B) methods used by the department to assess the needs of children and youths in foster care and provide support for foster parents to enable such parents to meet the needs of such children and youths, (C) safeguards employed by the department when licensing relative caregivers with histories of child abuse or neglect or psychiatric Public Act No.
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5 and neglect registry findings with respect to prospective relative caregivers, (E) number of reports of child abuse or neglect concerning childrenandyouthsresidinginfosterhomeslicensedbythedepartment and the number of substantiated reports, (F) number of foster home licenses revoked and foster home license applications denied by the department, (G) results of departmental audits of licensing practices, and (H) number and type of safety concerns with respect to licensed foster homes identified by the department through the department's assessment of regulatory compliance system and any corresponding corrective actions taken;
155 illness or criminal records, (D) processes used by the department to reverse substantiated findings of child abuse or neglect or child abuse and neglect registry findings with respect to prospective relative caregivers, (E) number of reports of child abuse or neglect concerning childrenandyouthsresidinginfosterhomeslicensedbythedepartment and the number of substantiated reports, (F) number of foster home licenses revoked and foster home license applications denied by the department, (G) results of departmental audits of licensing practices, and (H) number and type of safety concerns with respect to licensed foster homes identified by the department through the department's assessment of regulatory compliance system and any corresponding corrective actions taken;
and (8) Information regarding the diversion of children under the age of eighteen from the juvenile justice and court systems, including the (A) number of times any such child was diverted, (B) total number of such children diverted, (C) type of services provided to each such child, (D) program or process through which each such child was diverted, and (E) age of each such child.
(8) Information regarding the effectiveness of the grant program established under subsection (b) of section 17a-22ii of the general statutes, as amended by this act;
and (9) Information regarding the diversion of children under the age of eighteen from the juvenile justice and court systems, including the (A) number of times any such child was diverted, (B) total number of such children diverted, (C) type of services provided to each such child, (D) program or process through which each such child was diverted, and (E) age of each such child.
The Commissioners of Children and Families, Social Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services shall, not later than October 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, conduct an [annual] evaluation of the BehavioralHealthPartnershipand[shall]submitareport,inaccordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, public health, human services and children on the provision of behavioral health services under the Behavioral Health Partnership, including information on the status of any administrative services organization implementation, the status of [the collaboration among] collaborative efforts between the Departments of Children and Families, Social Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services, the services provided, the number of persons served, program outcomes, [and] spending by child and adult populations and estimated cost savings, if any, resulting from the sSB155 / File No.
The Commissioners of Children and Families, Social Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services shall, not later than October 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, conduct an [annual] evaluation of the BehavioralHealthPartnershipand[shall]submitareport,inaccordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, public health, human services and Public Act No.
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5 implementation of the Behavioral Health Partnership.
155 children on the provision of behavioral health services under the Behavioral Health Partnership, including information on the status of any administrative services organization implementation, the status of [the collaboration among] collaborative efforts between the Departments of Children and Families, Social Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services, the services provided, the number of persons served, program outcomes, [and] spending by child and adult populations and estimated cost savings, if any, resulting from the implementation of the Behavioral Health Partnership.
Any one or more municipalities or any one or more private youth-serving organizations, designated to act as agents of one or more municipalities or local or regional boards of education, may establish a multipurpose youth service bureau for the purposes of evaluation, planning, coordination and implementation of services, including prevention and intervention programs for delinquent, predelinquent, pregnant, parenting and troubled youths referred to such bureau by local or regional boards of education, police, juvenile courts, adult courts, local youth-serving agencies, parents and self- referrals.
Any one or more municipalities or any one or more private youth-serving organizations, designated to act as agents of one or more municipalities or local or regional boards of education, may establish a multipurpose youth service bureau for the purposes of evaluation, planning, coordination and implementation of services, including prevention and intervention programs for delinquent, Public Act No.
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155 predelinquent, pregnant, parenting and troubled youths referred to such bureau by local or regional boards of education, police, juvenile courts, adult courts, local youth-serving agencies, parents and self- referrals.
(3) work placement and employment sSB155 / File No.
(3) work placement and employment counseling;
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5 counseling;
Such report shall include, but not be limited to, the number of times any child is so diverted, the number of children diverted, the type of service provided to any such child, by whom such child was diverted, the ages of the children diverted and such other information and statistics as the General Assembly may request from time to time.
Such report shall include, but not be limited to, the number of times any child is so diverted, the Public Act No.
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155 number of children diverted, the type of service provided to any such child, by whom such child was diverted, the ages of the children diverted and such other information and statistics as the General Assembly may request from time to time.
sSB155 / File No.
(b) The commissioner shall ensure that such child's visits with his or her parents, or opportunities to communicate with such child's parents and siblings by telephonic, video or other conferencing platform in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, shall occur as frequently as reasonably possible, based upon consideration of the best interests of thechild, including the age and developmental level of the child, and shall be sufficient in number and duration to ensure continuation of the relationship.
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5 (b) The commissioner shall ensure that such child's visits with his or her parents, or opportunities to communicate with such child's parents and siblings by telephonic, video or other conferencing platform in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, shall occur as frequently as reasonably possible, based upon consideration of the best interests of thechild, including the age and developmental level of the child, and shall be sufficient in number and duration to ensure continuation of the relationship.
In determining the number, frequency and duration of sibling visits, the commissioner shall consider the best interests of each sibling, given each child's age and developmental level and the continuationofthesibling relationship.Ifthechildand hisor her sibling both reside within the state and within fifty miles of each other, the commissioner shall, within available appropriations, ensure that such child's visits with his or her sibling occur, on average, not less than once per week, unless the commissioner finds that the frequency of such visitation is not in the best interests of each sibling.
In determining the number, frequency and duration of sibling visits, the commissioner shall consider the best interests of each sibling, given each child's age and developmental level and the continuationofthesibling relationship.Ifthechildand hisor her sibling Public Act No.
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155 both reside within the state and within fifty miles of each other, the commissioner shall, within available appropriations, ensure that such child's visits with his or her sibling occur, on average, not less than once per week, unless the commissioner finds that the frequency of such visitation is not in the best interests of each sibling.
Not later than January 1, 2022, the commissioner shall develop a policy that requires the temporary cessation of in-person visitation provided pursuant to this section, on a case-by-case basis, in the event that a child or such child's parent or sibling is seriously ill due to a communicable disease, sSB155 / File No.
Not later than January 1, 2022, the commissioner shall develop a policy that requires the temporary cessation of in-person visitation provided pursuant to this section, on a case-by-case basis, in the event that a child or such child's parent or sibling is seriously ill due to a communicable disease, and visitation could result in the contraction of such disease by one or more participants in the visitation.
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Such policy shall require that such child be provided an opportunity to communicate with such child's parentsandsiblingsby telephonic, video orother conferencing platform in lieu of such visitation.
5 and visitation could result in the contraction of such disease by one or more participants in the visitation.
Such policy shall require that such child be provided an opportunity to communicate with such child's parentsandsiblingsby telephonic,video orother conferencing platform in lieu of such visitation.
If thecommissioner determines that such visits are not in the best interests of the child, that the occurrence of, on average, not less than one visit per week with his or her sibling is not in the best interests of each sibling, or that the number, frequency or duration of the visits requested by the child's attorney or guardian ad litem is not in the best interests of the child, the commissioner shall include the reasons for such determination in the child's case record.
If thecommissioner determines that such visits are not in the best interests of the child, that the occurrence of, on average, not less than one visit per week with his or her sibling is not in the best interests of each sibling, or that the number, frequency or duration of the visits requested by the child's attorney or guardian ad litem is not in the best interests of the child, the Public Act No.
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26-48 8 of 22 Substitute Senate Bill No.
155 commissioner shall include the reasons for such determination in the child's case record.
The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account, the resources of which shall be used by the Commissioner of Children and Families to assist families with the cost of obtaining (1) a drug or sSB155 / File No.
The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account, the resources of which shall be used by the Commissioner of Children and Families to assist families with the cost of obtaining (1) a drug or treatment prescribed for a child by a health care provider for the treatment of a mental or behavioral health condition if the cost of such drug or treatment is not covered by insurance or Medicaid, and (2) intensive evidence-based services or other intensive services to treat mental and behavioral health conditions in children and adolescents, including, but not limited to, intensive in-home child and adolescent psychiatric services and services provided by an intensive outpatient program, if the cost of such services is not covered by insurance or Medicaid.
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5 treatment prescribed for a child by a health care provider for the treatment of a mental or behavioral health condition if the cost of such drug or treatment is not covered by insurance or Medicaid, and (2) intensive evidence-based services or other intensive services to treat mental and behavioral health conditions in children and adolescents, including, but not limited to, intensive in-home child and adolescent psychiatric services and services provided by an intensive outpatient program, if the cost of such services is not covered by insurance or Medicaid.
Such eligibility requirements (A) shall include that a family has sought and been denied coverage or reimbursement for such drug or treatment or such intensive services by the family's health carrier, and (B) may include, but need not be limited to, a family's financial need.
Such eligibility requirements (A) shall include that a family has sought and been denied coverage or reimbursement for such drug or treatment or such intensive services by the family's health carrier, and (B) may include, but need not Public Act No.
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155 be limited to, a family's financial need.
The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management may request that another state agency post such sSB155 / File No.
The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management may request that another state agency post such description on such agency's Internet web site.
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5 description on such agency's Internet web site.
Subsection (g) of section 17a-101g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026):
Subsection (g) of section 17a-101g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, Public Act No.
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155 2026):
In conducting such assessment, sSB155 / File No.
In conducting such assessment, the department shall consider the age and vulnerability of the child, family functioning, family history of abuse and neglect and family history of involvement with the department.
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5 the department shall consider the age and vulnerability of the child, family functioning, family history of abuse and neglect and family history of involvement with the department.
(3) The following reports of suspected child abuse or neglect shall not be referred for family assessment response:
(3) The following reports of suspected child abuse or neglect shall not Public Act No.
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155 be referred for family assessment response:
(6) The community provider shall maintain ongoing contact with the family through in-person meetings, visits to the home, child and family sSB155 / File No.
(6) The community provider shall maintain ongoing contact with the family through in-person meetings, visits to the home, child and family team meetings and phone calls.
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If at any time following the referral or during the implementation of the plan of care, the provider has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child under eighteen years of age (A) has been abused or neglected, as defined in section 46b- 120, (B) has suffered a nonaccidental physical injury or an injury that is Public Act No.
5 team meetings and phone calls.
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If at any time following the referral or during the implementation of the plan of care, the provider has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child under eighteen years of age (A) has been abused or neglected, as defined in section 46b- 120, (B) has suffered a nonaccidental physical injury or an injury that is at variance with the history given for such injury, or (C) is placed at imminent risk of serious harm, the provider shall report or cause a report to bemade inaccordance withtheprovisionsofsections17a-101b to 17a-101d, inclusive.
155 at variance with the history given for such injury, or (C) is placed at imminent risk of serious harm, the provider shall report or cause a report to bemade inaccordance withtheprovisionsofsections17a-101b to 17a-101d, inclusive.
Such standards shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions for the reassignment of a report referred for family sSB155 / File No.
Such standards shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions for the reassignment of a report referred for family assessment response for an immediate investigation based on (A) a reassessment of the initial report of child abuse or neglect or the discovery of new or additional facts indicating that the child is unsafe, Public Act No.
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5 assessment response for an immediate investigation based on (A) a reassessment of the initial report of child abuse or neglect or the discovery of new or additional facts indicating that the child is unsafe, or (B) a determination that the report meets the criteria of subdivision (3) of this subsection and, as a result, does not qualify for family assessment response.
155 or (B) a determination that the report meets the criteria of subdivision (3) of this subsection and, as a result, does not qualify for family assessment response.
(D)the number andpercentage offamily assessment response cases that sSB155 / File No.
(D)the number andpercentage offamily assessment response cases that Public Act No.
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5 changed track to investigations;(E)ananalysisofthedepartment'sprior or subsequent involvement with a family that has been assigned to family assessment response, if applicable;
155 changed track to investigations;(E)ananalysisofthedepartment'sprior or subsequent involvement with a family that has been assigned to family assessment response, if applicable;
Section 4-68y of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
Not later than September 30, 2011, and biennially thereafter, [the Commissioner of Children and Families,] the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Chief State's Attorney, the Chief Public Defender, the Chief Court Administrator and the Police Officer Standards and Training Council shall submit a report, on behalf of the respective department, division, office or council, to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management on the plans established by the department, division, office or council to address disproportionate minority contact in the juvenile justice system and the steps taken to implementthoseplansduringtheprevioustwofiscalyears.Anyreports sSB155 / File No.
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5 submitted by the [Commissioner of Children and Families and the] Chief Court Administrator, or on behalf of any other such department, division, office or council that has responsibility for providing child welfare services, including services in abuse and neglect cases, shall (1) indicate efforts undertaken in the previous two fiscal years to address disproportionate minority contact in the child welfare system, and (2) include an evaluation of the relationship between the child welfare system and disproportionate minority contact in the juvenile justice system.
The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall compile the submissions and shall submit a report on such submissions, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the Governor and the General Assembly not later than December thirty-first biennially.
For the purposes of this section, "disproportionate minority contact" means that a disproportionate number of juvenile members of minority groups come into contact with the juvenile justice system.
Sec.
9.
(5) The commissioner shall be the guardian of such child or youth for the duration of the commitment, provided the child or youth has not reached the age of eighteen years, or until another guardian has been legally appointed, and in like manner, upon such vesting of the care of such child or youth, such other public or private agency or individual shall be the guardian of such child or youth until such child or youth has reached the age of eighteen years or, in the case of a child or youth in full-time attendance in a secondary school, a technical education and career school, a college or a state-accredited job training program, until such child or youth has reached the age of twenty-one years or until another guardian has been legally appointed.
(5) The commissioner shall be the guardian of such child or youth for the duration of the commitment, provided the child or youth has not reached the age of eighteen years, or until another guardian has been legally appointed, and in like manner, upon such vesting of the care of such child or youth, such other public or private agency or individual shall be the guardian of such child or youth until such child or youth Public Act No.
The commissioner may place any child or youth so committed to the commissioner in a suitable foster home or in the home of a fictive kin caregiver, relative caregiver, or in a licensed child-caring institution or in the care and custody of any accredited, licensed or approved child-caring agency, within or without the state, provided a child shall not be placed outside the state except sSB155 / File No.
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155 has reached the age of eighteen years or, in the case of a child or youth in full-time attendance in a secondary school, a technical education and career school, a college or a state-accredited job training program, until such child or youth has reached the age of twenty-one years or until another guardian has been legally appointed.
5 for good cause and unless the [parent or guardian] parents or guardians of such child are notified in advance of such placement and given an opportunity to be heard, or in a receiving home maintained and operated by the commissioner.
The commissioner may place any child or youth so committed to the commissioner in a suitable foster home or in the home of a fictive kin caregiver, relative caregiver, or in a licensed child-caring institution or in the care and custody of any accredited, licensed or approved child-caring agency, within or without the state, provided a child shall not be placed outside the state except for good cause and unless the [parent or guardian] parents or guardians of such child are notified in advance of such placement and given an opportunity to be heard, or in a receiving home maintained and operated by the commissioner.
At least ten days prior to transferring a child or youth to a second or subsequent placement, the commissioner shall give writtennotice to suchchildor youthandsuch child'sor youth'sattorney of said commissioner's intention to make such transfer, unless an emergency or risk to such child's or youth's well-being necessitates the immediate transfer of such child or youth and renders such notice impossible.
At least ten days prior to transferring a child or youth to a second or subsequent placement, the commissioner shall give Public Act No.
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155 writtennotice to suchchildor youthandsuch child'sor youth'sattorney of said commissioner's intention to make such transfer, unless an emergency or risk to such child's or youth's well-being necessitates the immediate transfer of such child or youth and renders such notice impossible.
sSB155 / File No.
Sec.
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9.
5 Sec.
Section 10a-57g of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
(a) As used in this section:
(1) ["Preschool through Twenty and Workforce Information Network" or "P20 WIN"] "Data Link Connecticut" or "DataLinkCT" means a state integrated data system utilized for the purpose of matching and integrating data of state agencies and other organizations to inform policy and practice for education, workforce and supportive service efforts.
(2) "Participating agency" means the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, Department of Education, Labor Department, the Office of Early Childhood, The University of Connecticut, the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges and any entity that has executed an enterprise memorandum of understanding for participation in [the P20 WIN] DataLinkCT and has been approved for participation pursuant to the terms of the enterprise memorandum of understanding.
Public Act No.
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155 (3) "Enterprise memorandum of understanding" means a foundational multiparty agreement that sets forth the details of how data is shared and the respective legal rights and responsibilities of each party within the data sharing process.
(b) There is established [a Preschool through Twenty and Workforce Information Network] Data Link Connecticut.
The executive board of [the P20 WIN] DataLinkCT, established pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, shall establish processes and structures governing the secure sharing of data across participating agencies.
(c) The Office of Policy and Management shall serve as the administratorfor [P20WIN]DataLinkCTtosupporttheexecutiveboard and data governing board, develop procedures for secure sharing and analysis of data and provide program management to support the continued operation and maintenance of [P20 WIN] DataLinkCT, in accordance with the state data plan and data sharing efforts specified in sections 4-67n and 4-67p.
(d) [The P20 WIN] DataLinkCT shall be governed by an executive board that shall provide oversight of such network.
Said executive boardshallinclude,butneednotbelimitedto,thechiefexecutiveofficer of each participating agency, or their respective designees, the Chief Workforce Officer, or the officer's designee, and the Secretary of the OfficeofPolicyandManagement,orthesecretary'sdesignee.Theduties of the executive board shall be to:
(1) Advance a vision for [the P20 WIN including] DataLinkCT that includes a prioritized research agenda with support from the Office of Policy and Management.
(2) Convene as needed to respond to issues from the data governing board.
(3) Identify and work to secure resources necessary to sustain [P20 Public Act No.
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155 WIN] DataLinkCT funding.
(4) Support system implementation, maintenance and improvement by advocating for [the P20 WIN] DataLinkCT in regard to policy, legislation and resources.
(5) Advocate for and support the state's vision for [the P20 WIN] DataLinkCT.
(6) Establish a data governing board to establish and implement policies related to cross-agency data management, including, but not limited to, data confidentiality and security in alignment with the vision for [the P20 WIN] DataLinkCT and any applicable law.
In establishing such policies, the data governing board shall consult with the Office of Policy and Management, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-67n and 4-67p and other applicable statutes and policies.
(e) The executive board established pursuant to this section may appoint advisory committees to make recommendations on data stewardship,datasystemexpansionandprocesses,andsuchotherareas that will advance the work of [the P20 WIN] DataLinkCT.
(f) (1) Each regional workforce development board established under section 31-3k shall regularly submit data to [the P20 WIN] DataLinkCT to report on the performance and outcomes achieved by the state's workforce system, including, but not limited to, workforce training and development programs that receive federal and state funds or grants.
Not later than September 1, 2025, the Chief Workforce Officer shall, in consultation with the Labor Commissioner, the Chief Data Officer and the regional workforce development boards, establish standards for the submission of data by regional workforce development boards specifying the data to be submitted and the form and manner in which to submit such data.
(2) On or before January 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the Chief Public Act No.
26-48 19 of 22 Substitute Senate Bill No.
155 Workforce Officer may, in consultation with the Chief Data Officer and the Labor Commissioner, submit to the administrator of [the P20 WIN] DataLinkCT a request for data and analysis of such data for the purposes of assessing performance and outcomes of the state's workforce system.
Such data and analysis request shall be completed by the administrator of [the P20 WIN] DataLinkCT not later than August 15, 2022, and annually thereafter.
(g) Not later than October 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, each constituent unit of the state system of higher education, as defined in section 10a-1, and such constituent unit's central or system office, if any, shall submit, in a manner that complies with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 USC 1232g, as amended from time to time, data to [the P20 WIN] DataLinkCT to report on the outcomes of postsecondary education and workforce development programs operated by such constituent unit.
Not later than September 1, 2025, the Chief Data Officer shall specify the form and manner in which to submit such data.
Any report produced from such data shall be in aggregated form and, consistent with any other provision of state or federal law, shall not include any personally identifiable information of students or participants in such programs.
Sec.
Subsection (c) of section 4-124w of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
(c) The Chief Workforce Officer may call upon any office, department, board, commission, public institution of higher education or other agency of the state to supply such reports, information, data andassistance as may bereasonable,necessary andappropriate inorder to carry out the Chief Workforce Officer's or the Office of Workforce Strategy's duties and requirements.
Each officer or employee of such office, department, board, commission, public institution of higher education or other agency of the state shall furnish such reports, Public Act No.
26-48 20 of 22 Substitute Senate Bill No.
155 information, data and assistance as requested by the Chief Workforce Officer, to the extent permitted under state and federal law.
Any request for data from a participating agency in [P20 WIN] DataLinkCT, established pursuant to section 10a-57g, as amended by this act, shall be submitted through [P20 WIN] DataLinkCT in accordance with the policies and procedures established by [P20 WIN] DataLinkCT.
Sec.
11.
Subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 10-15o of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
(2)Compile and analyze dataonstudentsand young people,through available data systems, including, but not limited to, [the Connecticut Preschool through Twenty and Workforce Information Network] Data Link Connecticut, established pursuant to section 10a-57g, as amended by this act;
Sec.
12.
Subdivision (19) of subsection (b) of section 12-15 of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
(19) To the extent allowable under federal law, return information to another state agency or to support a data request submitted through [P20 WIN] DataLinkCT, established in section 10a-57g, as amended by this act, in accordance with the policies and procedures of [P20 WIN] DataLinkCT for the purposes of evaluation or research, provided the recipient of such data enters into a data sharing agreement pursuant to section 4-67aa if such recipient is not a state agency;
Sec.
13.
Subsection (e) of section 17b-112l of the 2026 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
(e) Not later than July 1, 2020, pursuant to the advisory authority established in section 3-125, the Office of the Attorney General, in Public Act No.
26-48 21 of 22 Substitute Senate Bill No.
155 consultation with the Two-Generational Advisory Board, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the Chief Data Officer appointedpursuant to section4-67pand [the PreschoolthroughTwenty and Workforce Information Network] Data Link Connecticut, established pursuant to section 10a-57g, as amended by this act, shall develop a uniform interagency data sharing protocol to remove legal barriers to promote cross-agency and cross-sector collaboration under this section to the fullest extent permitted under state and federal laws.
Sec.
14.
Section 22 of public act 24-45 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
Not later than [January 1, 2025] July 1, 2027,and [annually] biennially thereafter, the executive board of [the Connecticut Preschool Through Twenty and Workforce Information Network] Data Link Connecticut, established pursuant to section 10a-57g of the general statutes, as amended by this act, shall submit [an annual] a report on disconnected youth.
In developing such report, the executive board shall use the data model established through the data sharing agreement 0043 regarding Research on Disengaged and Disconnected Youth in Connecticut.
The executive board shall submit such report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, children, the judiciary, labor, human services, public health and appropriations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
As used in this section, "disconnected youth" has the same meaning as provided in section 21 of [this act] public act 24-45, as amended by this act.
Sec.
15.
(Effective July 1, 2026) This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
(Effective July 1, 2026) Governor's Action:
Section 1 July 1, 2026 New section Sec.
Approved May 26, 2026 Public Act No.
2 July 1, 2026 17a-22m Sec.
26-48 22 of 22
3 July 1, 2026 17a-8b Sec.
4 July 1, 2026 10-19m Sec.
5 July 1, 2026 17a-10a Sec.
6 July 1, 2026 17a-22ii Sec.
7 July 1, 2026 17a-101g(g) Sec.
8 October 1, 2026 4-68y Sec.
9 October 1, 2026 46b-129(j)(5) Sec.
10 July 1, 2026 Repealer section Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
In Section 1(5)(K), "by the community" was changed to "by the department's community" and in Section 1(5)(L), "analysis for" was changed to "analysis of" for clarity.
KID Joint Favorable Subst.
sSB155 / File No.
5 17 sSB155 File No.
5 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
None Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill makes various procedural, technical, and conforming changes that primarily adjust the Department of Children and Families (DCF) reporting requirements, resulting in no fiscal impact.
sSB155 / File No.
5 18 sSB155 File No.
5 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 155 AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
SUMMARY This bill merges current Department of Children and Families (DCF) reporting requirements from eight statutes into one report.
It does so by repealing certain reporting requirements and moving others to a new consolidated report that DCF must submit to the General Assembly on its activities for the prior fiscal year.
The bill’s consolidated report is due each year, starting on October 15, 2027.
The current reporting requirements are generally kept.
The bill also:
1.
merges two existing DCF reporting requirements on the Behavioral Health Partnership, 2.
removes the requirement that DCF report any missing or abducted child in DCF custody to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Crime Information Center to align with FBI requirements for submitting these reports, 3.
eliminates an annual DCF reporting requirement on the effectiveness of the Mental and Behavioral Health Treatment Fund grant program, and 4.
eliminates a DCF reporting requirement on racial disparities in the population of children in the juvenile justice system.
Lastly, it makes minor and technical changes (§ 9).
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1, 2026, except the provisions on the juvenile sSB155 / File No.
5 19 sSB155 File No.
5 justice racial disparities report (§ 8) and the technical change (§ 9) are effective October 1, 2026.
§§ 1, 4, 5, 7 & 10 — CONSOLIDATED REPORT The bill generally consolidates eight separate DCF reporting requirements into one report to the legislature on DCF’s activities and makes various changes to the information it must provide.
The table below describes the bill’s changes for each of these reporting requirements, listed by topic.
The bill also makes other minor and technical changes.
In consolidating the current reporting requirements, the bill (1) shifts their due dates, from the current dates in the table below to October 15 of each year, starting in 2027, and (2) requires DCF to report on all of these topics on a fiscal year basis.
It requires DCF to submit the consolidated report to both the Appropriations and Children committees, rather than only the latter as current law requires for most of the separate reports.
(The two exceptions are described in the table below.) The bill specifies that the report must not include personally identifying information.
Table:
Consolidated Report Requirements Included in § 1 Topic, Bill §, Current Reporting Requirement and Statutory Changes Under the Bill Citation and Due Date Race and Data showing DCF services use None Ethnicity Data by race and ethnicity, an (§ 10) assessment of usage trends, and (CGS § 17a-6e) recommendations for results- based accountability measures for parity in access to services Due by February 15 each year Visitation of Data showing compliance with the Requires the report to have the Children in DCF law on visitation for children in number of sibling pairs in each Care (§ 5) DCF care due to temporary placement, rather than the number (CGS § 17a- placements or commitment orders;
of individual siblings involved in 10a(f)) must include the number of (1) each case children with out-of-home sSB155 / File No.
5 20 sSB155 File No.
5 Topic, Bill §, Current Reporting Requirement and Statutory Changes Under the Bill Citation and Due Date placements who have siblings, (2) child cases with documented sibling visits, and (2) individual siblings involved in each case Due by October 1 each year DCF-Operated For each DCF-operated facility, (1) Requires this information to be Facilities (§ 10) aggregate resident profiles;
(2) submitted to the Appropriations (CGS § 17a- descriptions of, and updates on, and Children committees, rather 32a) major initiatives;
(3) key outcome than the State Advisory Council on indicators and results;
(4) Children and Families and each operating costs;
and (5) facility’s respective advisory group;
descriptions of educational, eliminates related requirements vocational and literacy programs, that (1) these advisory groups behavioral treatment and other respond to their facilities’ annual services for residents, and their report and recommend outcomes improvements and enhancements they find necessary and (2) DCF No specified due date serve as administrative staff to these groups and post these reports on its website Reports of Number of written reports made by Eliminates the DoAg Animal Harm, DCF employees and animal commissioner’s reporting Neglect, or control officers of actual or requirement and instead requires Cruelty (§ 10) suspected instances of animal DCF to include in its report data (CGS § 17a- harm, neglect, or cruelty they from DoAg’s monthly animal 100c) received (currently, both the DCF abuse reports to DCF, required and Department of Agriculture under existing law (DoAg) commissioner must report this information) Due by February 15 each year Family Status of the family assessment Removes the requirement to Assessment response (FAR) program, include the percentage of families Response including specified data, statistics, receiving a family assessment Program (§ 7) and analysis for the previous 12 response broken down by race (CGS § 17a- months, such as the number of and ethnicity and makes minor 101g(g)) accepted reports of child abuse or and technical changes neglect and percentage of reports assigned to the FAR program Eliminates the current requirement that this information be included in Due by July 1 each year the annual children’s report card Private Provider Information on DCF’s efforts to Requires DCF to also include Outcomes (§ determine measurable outcomes information on outcome 10) and incorporate them in provider achievement and other quality (CGS 17a-63a) contracts, including the (1) number indicators as noted in annual sSB155 / File No.
5 21 sSB155 File No.
5 Topic, Bill §, Current Reporting Requirement and Statutory Changes Under the Bill Citation and Due Date of service types with outcomes, (2) evaluations of each provider types of outcomes, (3) application of outcome information to quality improvement No due date specified Foster Care Specified information on DCF Requires the report to include the Licensing foster care licensing practices results of any DCF audits of its Practices (§ 10) including (1) its methods of licensing practices, rather than just (CGS § 17a- ensuring it complies with foster random audits 114g) care licensing laws and regulations, (2) its methods of assessing the needs of children and youths in foster care and providing support for foster parents to meet these needs, (3) DCF safeguards used when it seeks to license a relative caregiver with a history of child abuse or neglect or psychiatric illness or a criminal record, and (4) the results of DCF’s random audits of its licensing practices Due by January 1 each year Juvenile Information on the referral or Requires DCF to report this same Referrals and diversion of children under 18 from information annually, rather than Diversions (§ 4) the juvenile justice and court every two years, and eliminates (CGS § 10- systems;
must include specified the provision allowing the 19m(c)) statistics and demographic legislature to request other information (but not identifying statistics and information information) and any other statistics and information the legislature may periodically request Due to the entire General Assembly by December 1 every other year §§ 2 & 10 — BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP REPORTING The bill merges two existing DCF reporting requirements on the Behavioral Health Partnership.
It repeals a provision that requires DCF andtheDepartmentofMentalHealthandAddictionServices(DMHAS) sSB155 / File No.
5 22 sSB155 File No.
5 to monitor the Behavioral Health Partnership’s implementation and annually report to the legislature on any related estimated cost savings.
The bill instead adds this cost savings reporting requirement to the existing annual report that DCF, DMHAS, and the Department of Social Services must make evaluating the Behavioral Health Partnership program and its services.
By law, this annual program evaluation must, among other things, include information on the services provided, number of people served, program outcomes, and spending on child and adult populations under the program.
The bill requires the agencies to submit the next annual program evaluation by October 1, 2026.
By law, and under the bill, they must submit thereport to the Appropriations,Children,HumanServices,and Public Health committees.
§ 3 — FBI NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT The bill removes the requirement that DCF report any missing or abducted child in DCF custody to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
In practice, only lawenforcement authoritiesmay access the NCIC to make these reports.
By law, unchanged by the bill, DCF must, within 24 hours after a child in its custody is determined to be missing or abducted, notify the (1) law enforcement authority with jurisdiction where the child was reported missing or abducted and (2) National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
§ 6 — MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT FUND GRANT PROGRAM REPORT The bill eliminates the requirement that DCF report annually on the effectivenessoftheMentalandBehavioralHealthTreatmentFund grant program.
By law, this program is designed to help families with the costs of prescribed drugs or treatments and intensive services for children with mental and behavioral health conditions if insurance or Medicaiddoesnot cover them.Undercurrentlaw, DCF must submit the report to the Public Health Committee by January 1 of each year.
sSB155 / File No.
5 23 sSB155 File No.
5 § 8 — DCF DISPROPORTIONATE MINORITY CONTACT REPORT Under current law, the DCF commissioner and other specified state officials and entities must each submit a report every two years to the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) on the plans they have developed and steps taken in the previous two fiscal years to address racial disparities in the juvenile justice system.
The bill eliminates this reporting requirement for DCF, including the related requirement that its report include (1) efforts made to address racial disparities in the child welfare system and (2) an evaluation of the relationship between the child welfare system and racial disparity in the juvenile justice system.
The bill keeps the existing reporting requirement for the other officials and entities, specifically the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection commissioner, chief state’s attorney, chief public defender, chief court administrator, and Police Officer Standards and Training Council.
By law, OPM must compile these reports into one report for the governor and the General Assembly by December 31 of each odd-numbered year.
COMMITTEE ACTION Committee on Children Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 17 Nay 0 (02/24/2026) sSB155 / File No.
5 24
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes new reporting requirements for the Department of Children and Families and repeals certain existing statutes to improve oversight and accountability of child welfare services.

  • Not later than October 15, 2027, and annually thereafter, the Department of Children and Families shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children and appropriations concerning the business of the department during the preceding fiscal year. Such report shall not contain personally identifying information and shall include, but need not be limited to: ...

    Creates a new requirement for annual reporting by the Department of Children and Families.

  • Section 17a-22m

    [annual]

    Changes the terminology in reporting requirements for the Behavioral Health Partnership to remove 'annual'.

  • Section 17a-22m

    [the collaboration among] → collaborative efforts between

    Updates the language to clarify the nature of collaboration in the Behavioral Health Partnership report.

  • Section 17a-8b

    [, to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Crime Information Center and]

    Removes the requirement to report missing or abducted children to the FBI's National Crime Information Center.

  • Section 10-19m

    [The commissioner shall, on December 1, 2011, and biennially thereafter, report to the General Assembly on the referral or diversion of children under the age of eighteen years from the juvenile justice system and the court system. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, the number of times any child is so diverted, the number of children diverted, the type of service provided to any such child, by whom such child was diverted, the ages of the children diverted and such other information and statistics as the General Assembly may require.]

    Eliminates a previous requirement for biennial reporting on the diversion of children from the juvenile justice system.

Action History

  1. SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

  2. TRANSMITTED BY SECRETARY OF THE STATE TO GOVERNOR

  3. TRANSMITTED TO SECRETARY OF THE STATE

  4. PUBLIC ACT 26-48

  5. IN CONCURRENCE

  6. HOUSE PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  7. HOUSE ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  8. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 516

  9. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  10. RULES SUSPENDED,TRANS.TO HOUSE

  11. SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  12. SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  13. FILE NO. 5

  14. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 39

  15. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  16. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  17. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/09/26

  18. FILED WITH LCO

  19. Joint Favorable Substitute

  20. PUBLIC HEARING 0217

  21. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Committee on Children

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 184 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (184)

184 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 155?
SB 155 is sponsored by Larry Pemberton (Democratic), Kenneth Gucker (Democratic), and Tom Delnicki (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 155?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 11, 2026. Enacted.
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