SB 359 — AN ACT CONCERNING SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO RELATIVES OF A PERSON WHOSE DEATH WAS CAUSED BY INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE.

Senate General Assembly RaisedFile Bill No.

359505 February Session, 2024 LCOSubstitute Senate Bill No.

2407359 ReferredSenate, toApril 16, 2024 The Committee on JUDICIARYJudiciary Introducedreportedthrough by:SEN.

(JUD)WINFIELD ANof ACTthe CONCERNING10th SERVICESDist., PROVIDEDChairperson BYof THEthe DEPARTMENTCommittee OFon CHILDRENthe ANDpart FAMILIESof TOthe RELATIVESSenate, OFthat Athe PERSONsubstitute WHOSEbill DEATHought WASto CAUSEDpass. BY INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE.

AN ACT CONCERNING SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO RELATIVES OF A PERSON WHOSE DEATH WAS CAUSED BY INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE.

(a) Immediately upon being informed of an intimate partner homicidehomicideinvolvingtheparentsofachild,theCommissionerofChildren involving parents of a child or children, the Commissioner of Children and Families shall assign an intimate partner violence specialist, employed by the department,department to provide needed resources to the relativesmatter. of the deceased parent.

The intimate partner violence specialist shall exercise due diligence to identify all adult grandparents and other adult relatives of the child, including any adult relatives suggested by the grandparents, subject to exceptions due to family or domestic violence, who could potentially care for the child or children of the deceased parent.

Not later than seven days after being assigned to provide needed resources to the relativesmatter, of the deceased parent, the intimate partner violence specialist shall provide a list containingsSB359 LCO/ File No.

2407505 1 ofsSB359 3File RaisedNo. Bill No.359 pertinent identifying information of all adult relatives who potentially could care for the child or children of the deceased parent to the commissioner.

The505 commissionercontaining shallpertinent thereafteridentifying provideinformation writtenof materials to all adult relatives who could potentially could care for the child or children of the deceased parent that (1) explain the options that any such relative has under federal, state and local law to participate in the carecommissioner. and placement of the child, including, but not limited to, information describing the process for filing a petition in the Probate Court seeking guardianship or custody of the minor child;

(2)The describecommissioner theshall requirementsthereafter (A)provide written materials to obtainthe aidentified fosteradult relatives who could potentially care licensefor pursuantthe tochild sectionof 17a-114,the deceased parent that (1) explain the options that any such relative has under federal, state and (B)local forlaw additionalto servicesparticipate in the care and supportsplacement thatof arethe availablechild, including, but not limited to, information describing the process for childrenfiling placeda petition in suchthe aProbate home;Court seeking guardianship or custody of the child;

(2) describe the requirements (A) to obtain a foster care license pursuant to section 17a- 114, and (B) for additional services and supports that are available for children placed in such a home;

For the thirty-day period following the date of death of the deceased parent, the commissioner shall not initiate any action in the superior court for juvenile matters concerning the custody of the child or children of the deceased parent.

and (4) describes LCOthe No.subsidized guardianship program under section 17a-126, including (A) eligibility requirements, (B) the process for applying to the program, and (C) financial assistance available under the program.

2407sSB359 2/ ofFile 3 Raised Bill No.

359505 the2 subsidizedsSB359 guardianshipFile programNo. under section 17a-126, including (A) eligibility requirements, (B) the process for applying to the program, and (C) financial assistance available under the program.

505 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

Section 1 July 1, 2024 17a-101m Statement of Purpose:Legislative Commissioners:

ToIn requireSubsec. the Department of Children and Families to provide certain resources and materials to therelatives of a parent whose deathresulted from intimate partner violence.

[Proposed(a), deletionsreferences areto enclosed"or inchildren" brackets.and "minor" child were deleted for internal consistency with the provisions of Subsec.

Proposed(b). additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.] LCO No.

2407JUD 3Joint ofFavorable 3Subst.

sSB359 / File No.

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505 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:

Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 25 $ FY 26 $ Children & Families, Dept.

GF - Cost 211,618 211,618 State Comptroller - Fringe GF - Cost 72,855 72,855 Benefits1 Note:

GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill, which requires the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to assign an Intimate Partner Violence Specialist to any case involving an intimate partner homicide of a child’s parent, results in annual costs to the department ($211,618) and the State Comptroller – Fringe Benefits ($72,855).

These reflect support for two Advanced Clinical Social Workers ($176,618) as well as the development of, and on-going updates to, educational materials ($35,000).

The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.

The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts administered by the Comptroller.

The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost associated with most personnel changes is 41.25% of payroll in FY 25.

sSB359 / File No.

505 4 sSB359 File No.

505 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 359 AN ACT CONCERNING SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO RELATIVES OF A PERSON WHOSE DEATH WAS CAUSED BY INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE.

SUMMARY This bill establishes procedures the Department of Children and Families (DCF) must follow when an intimate partner homicide involves a child’s parent.