SB 242 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY AND VOLUNTARY ADMISSION PROCEDURE.

2 sponsors · 8 co-sponsors · 52 not signed on

"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.

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 242 do?

When a youth who is experiencing foster care and living in an out-of-home placement has a need for residential psychiatric treatment, there can be a delay in gaining voluntary admission to a facility due to the Division of Family Services needing to obtain the youth’s parent or legal guardian’s consent for treatment. This can lead to a youth waiting in an emergency department bed or other inappropriate setting while waiting for the proper consent to be signed. In some cases, when a youth’s parent or legal guardian cannot be located, the youth must be involuntarily committed in order to obtain residential treatment, even when the youth is going willingly. This bill allows the Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families, Division of Family Services Director or Deputy Director to sign the request for voluntary admission to a psychiatric treatment facility for a youth in foster care. In the case of a youth in foster care whose parent or guardian’s legal parental rights have not been terminated, the Division of Family Services works collaboratively with the youth’s parent to get consent on medical treatment and decisions. This bill would enable youth experiencing foster care to access psychiatric treatment voluntarily when their parent or legal guardian is not available to consent to the treatment on their behalf. This bill also allows the Director or Deputy Director of the Division of Family Services to make a written discharge request on behalf of the youth receiving voluntary treatment.

Who sponsors SB 242?

SB 242 is sponsored by Kyle Evans Gay, Marie Pinkney (Democratic), Melissa Minor-Brown (Democratic), Stephanie L. Hansen (Democratic), David P. Sokola (Democratic), Bryan Townsend (Democratic), Krista Griffith (Democratic), Eric Morrison (Democratic), Ruth Briggs King, and Paul S. Baumbach.

What is the current status of SB 242?

This bill died with 151st General Assembly (2021-2022). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

Where can I track SB 242?

Track SB 242 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.