Connecticut 2021 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate

SB 912 — AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING AND OVERSIGHT OF FATHERHOOD INITIATIVES.

Last action — HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 530

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

This bill died with 2021 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” 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.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

288 added · 78 removed

288 line(s) added, 78 removed.

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General Assembly Raised Bill No.
Senate General Assembly File No.
912 January Session, 2021 LCO No.
514 January Session, 2021 Substitute Senate Bill No.
3478 Referred to Committee on HUMAN SERVICES Introduced by:
912 Senate, April 19, 2021 The Committee on Human Services reported through SEN.
(HS) AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING AND OVERSIGHT OF FATHERHOOD INITIATIVES.
MOORE of the 22nd Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING AND OVERSIGHT OF FATHERHOOD INITIATIVES.
Section 1.
Section1.
(Effective from passage) (a) There is established an advisory council to study and make recommendations concerning funding and oversight of fatherhood initiatives, including, but not limited to, the John S.
(NEW) (Effective from passage)(a)As used inthissectionand section 2 of this act, (1) "Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative", or "CFI", means an initiative that (A) promotes the positive involvement and interaction of fathers with their children with an emphasis on children eligible or formerly eligible for services funded under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant, and (B) identifies services that effectively encourage and enhance responsible and skillful parenting and increase the ability of fathers to meet the financial and emotional needs of their children;
Martinez Fatherhood Initiative established pursuant to section 17b-27a of the general statutes.
and (2) "CFI objectives" means:
Such study and recommendations shall include, but not be limited to, (1) whether such initiatives should be integrated with early childhood programs funded by the Office of Early Childhood, and (2) whether the Office of Early Education or the Department of Education should oversee such initiatives.
(A) Promoting public education concerning the financial and emotional responsibilities of fatherhood;
(b) The advisory council shall consist of the following members:
sSB912 / File No.
(1) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, both of whom are involved inthe John S.
514 1 sSB912 File No.
Martinez Fatherhood Initiative established pursuant to section 17b-27a of the general statutes;
514 (B)Assistingmeninpreparationforthelegal,financialandemotional responsibilities of fatherhood;
(2) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of LCO No.
(C) Promoting the establishment of paternity at childbirth;
3478 1 of 3 Raised Bill No.912 whomshallbea fatherorfamilyleaderinvolvedinthetwo-generational initiative established pursuant to section 17b-112l of the general statutes and one of whom is involved in a fatherhood initiative not affiliated with the John S.
(D) Encouraging fathers, regardless of marital status, to foster their emotional connection to and financial support of their children;
Martinez Fatherhood Initiative established pursuant to section 17b-27a of the general statutes;
(E) Establishing support mechanisms for fathers in their relationship with their children, regardless of their marital and financial status;
(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives;
and (F) Integrating state and local services available for families.
(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;
(b) There is established within the Department of Social Services the Office of the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative.
(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;
The office shall be overseen by the Commissioner of Social Services and shall perform administrative duties on behalf of the CFI in accordance with a strategic plan developed and implemented by the CFI with the approval of the council established pursuant to section 2 of this act.
(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
(7) The Commissioner of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's designee;
(8) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;
and (9) The Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee.
(c) Any member of the advisory council appointed under subdivision (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member of the General Assembly.
(d) All initial appointments to the advisory council shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section.
Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
(e)The speaker oftheHouse ofRepresentativesandthe president pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the advisory councilfromamong the membersofthe council.Suchchairpersonsshall schedule the first meeting of the council, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
LCO No.
3478 2 of 3 Raised Bill No.912 (f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and early childhood programs shall serve as administrative staff of the advisory council.
(g) Not later than January 1, 2022, the advisory council shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children, education and human services, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
The council shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or January 1, 2022, whichever is later.
(Effective July 1, 2021) The sum of three million dollars is appropriated to the Department of Social Services, from the General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, to provide increased funding for fatherhood initiatives that promote the positive involvement of fathers in their children's lives, including, but not limited to, the John S.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a CFI Council to approve the work of the CFI, including, but not limited to, implementation of CFI objectives through a strategic plan developed by the CFI.
Martinez Fatherhood Initiative established pursuant to section 17b-27a of the general statutes.
The council shall actively participate in efforts that further CFI objectives, including, but not limited to, (1) fostering collaboration between state agencies that provide services for fathers and families;
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
(2) seeking opportunities to coordinate comprehensive services, ensuring the continuity of services, heightening the impact of services and avoiding duplication of services;
and (3) supporting fathers of children eligibleorformerlyeligibleforservicesunder theTemporaryAssistance for Needy Families block grant, including, but not limited to:
(A) Providing assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives;
(B) promoting the independence and self-sufficiency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage;
(C) preventing and reducing the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies;
and (D) encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
sSB912 / File No.
514 2 sSB912 File No.
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514 (b) The membership of the council shall include, but need not be limited to:
(1) The Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee;
(2) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee;
(3) The Commissioner of Correction, or the commissioner's designee;
(4) The Commissioner of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's designee;
(5) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;
(6) The Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the commissioner's designee;
(7) The Commissioner of Housing, or the commissioner's designee;
(8) The Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee;
(9) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the commissioner's designee;
(10) The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee;
(11) The commissioner of Veterans Affairs, or the commissioner's designee;
(12) The chairperson of the Board of Pardons and Parole, or the chairperson's designee;
(13) The executive directors of the Support Enforcement Services Division and the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch, or their respective designees;
(14) The Chief Family Support Magistrate, or the Chief Family sSB912 / File No.
514 3 sSB912 File No.
514 Support Magistrate's designee;
(15) The president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, or the president's designee;
(16) The director of the Office of Child Support Services within the Department of Social Services, or the director's designee;
and (17) At least eleven members appointed by the Commissioner of Social Services, including:
(A) One with expertise in the area of legal assistance to low-income populations;
(B) One representative of the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission;
(C) One representative of a regional workforce development board;
(D) One member with expertise in family relations;
(E) One or more representatives of a local fatherhood program;
(F) One member with expertise in male psychology and health;
(G) One member representing the interests of custodial parents;
(H) One member representing the interests of noncustodial parents;
(I) One member representing the interests of children;
(J) One member with expertise in the area of domestic violence;
and (K) One member with expertise in child development.
(c) The Commissioner of Social Services shall serve as a chairperson of the council and shall designate a second cochairperson from among the membership of the council.
The commissioner shall convene the council not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section, and the council shall meet at least quarterly thereafter.
The sSB912 / File No.
514 4 sSB912 File No.
514 commissioner shall fill any vacancy on the council.
(d) The Commissioner of Social Services may designate a working group from among the members of the council to carry out specific duties required under this section and section 1 of this act.
The commissioner shall seek the advice and participation of any person, organization or state or federal agency the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this section and section 1 of this act.
(e) The Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation with the council and within available resources, shall apply for any available federal and private funds for programs that promote CFI objectives in accordance with this section and section 1 of this act.
The commissioner shallawardgrantsfromanysuchavailablefundstoentitiesthatprovide (1) employment and training opportunities for low-income fathers to increase theearning capacity ofsuch fathers;(2)classesinparenting and financial literacy;
and (3) other support services and programs that promote responsible parenting, economic stability and communication and interaction between fathers and their children.
(f) Applicants for grants provided pursuant to subsection (e) of this section shall apply to the Commissioner of Social Services at such time and in such manner as prescribed by the commissioner.
The commissioner shall, in consultation with the council, establish criteria for eligibility for grants and for the awarding of grants.
At a minimum, the commissioner shall require grantees to (1) implement accountability measures and results-based outcomes as a condition of being awarded a grant;
(2) leverage funds through existing resources and collaboration with community-based and nonprofit organizations;
and (3) consult with experts in domestic violence to ensure that, when appropriate, the programs and services provided to fathers and families pursuant to this section and section 1 of this act address issues concerning domestic violence.
(g) Not later than December 1, 2021, and annually thereafter, the commissioner, in consultation with the council, shall report, in sSB912 / File No.
514 5 sSB912 File No.
514 accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and children on the grant program's effectiveness in achieving CFI objectives.
Sec.
3.
Section 17b-27a of the general statutes is repealed.
(Effective from passage) This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
2 July 1, 2021 New section Statement of Purpose:
2 from passage New section Sec.
To establish an advisory council to make recommendations concerning fatherhood initiatives and provide state funding for fatherhood initiatives.
3 from passage Repealer section Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets.
In Section 2(a)(3), "block grant program" was changed to "block grant" for internal consistency.
Proposed 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.
HS Joint Favorable Subst.
3478 3 of 3
sSB912 / File No.
514 6 sSB912 File No.
514 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 (1) establishes a Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative (CFI) Council to approve the initiative’s work, (2) establishes the Office of the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative within the Department of Social Services (DSS), and (3) makes other technical and conforming changes that have no fiscal impact.
The Out Years State Impact:
None Municipal Impact:
None sSB912 / File No.
514 7 sSB912 File No.
514 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 912 AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING AND OVERSIGHT OF FATHERHOOD INITIATIVES.
SUMMARY This bill establishes an office and council to oversee the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) fatherhood initiative, which the bill renames as the “Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative” (CFI) (conforming to current practice).
The bill correspondingly renames the initiative’s current objectives as CFI objectives.
The bill establishes a CFI Council to approve the initiative’s work, including implementation of its objectives through a strategic plan the bill requires the initiative to develop.
The bill requires the DSS commissioner to consult with the council to perform certain duties required under existing law.
The bill also establishes the Office of the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative withinDSS.
Under thebill,the DSS commissioner overseesthe office, which conducts administrative duties for the initiative in accordance with the approved strategic plan.
Existing law requires the DSS commissioner to annually report to the Children’s and Human Services committees on the initiative’s grant program’s effectiveness in achieving the initiative’s objectives.
The bill changes the deadline for this report from October 1 to December 1 and requiresthecommissionertoconsultwiththeCFI Councilforthereport.
Existing law, unchanged by the bill, requires the initiative to promote the positive involvement and interaction of fathers with their children.
The bill eliminates a requirement that the initiative identify employment services and child support enforcement measures.
sSB912 / File No.
514 8 sSB912 File No.
514 The bill also eliminates an obsolete reporting requirement.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Upon passage CFI COUNCIL Membership, Meetings, and Vacancies Under the bill, CFI Council membership includes, but is not limited to, the following members or their designees:
1.
DSS commissioner, 2.
Department of Children and Families commissioner, 3.
Department of Correction commissioner, 4.
Office of Early Childhood commissioner, 5.
State Department of Education commissioner, 6.
Department of Developmental Services commissioner, 7.
Department of Housing commissioner, 8.
Department of Labor commissioner, 9.
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services commissioner, 10.
Department of Public Health commissioner, 11.
Department of Veterans Affairs commissioner, 12.
Pardons and Parole Board chairperson, 13.
Judicial Support Enforcement Services executive director, 14.
Court Support Services Division executive director, 15.
Chief Family Support Magistrate, 16.
Connecticut State Colleges and Universities president, and sSB912 / File No.
514 9 sSB912 File No.
514 17.
DSS’s Office of Child Support Services director.
The bill also requires the DSS commissioner to appoint at least eleven additional members, including the following:
1.
an expert in legal assistance for low-income populations, 2.
a Connecticut Employment and Training Commission representative, 3.
a regional workforce development board representative, 4.
a family relations expert, 5.
at least one local fatherhood program representative, 6.
an expert in male psychology and health, 7.
one member each representing interests of custodial and noncustodial parents, 8.
a member representing the children’s interests, 9.
a domestic violence expert, and 10.
a child development expert.
The bill requires the DSS commissioner to (1) be a council chairperson, (2) designate a co-chairperson, (3) convene the council within 30 days of the bill’s passage, and (4) fill any vacancies on the council.
The council must meet at least quarterly.
Working Group The bill allows the DSS commissioner to designate a working group from among the council’s members to carry out specific duties required under the bill.
The bill requires the commissioner to seek the advice and participation of any person, organization, or state or federal agency she deems necessary to carry out the bill’s provisions.
DSS Consultations sSB912 / File No.
514 10 sSB912 File No.
514 The bill requires the DSS commissioner to consult with the council to perform certain duties required under existing law, including (1) obtainingavailablefederalandprivatefundsforprogramsthatpromote the initiative’s objectives and (2) establishing eligibility criteria for grants and awarding them.
Duties and Requirements The bill requires the CFI Council to approve the initiative’s work, including implementing CFI objectives by developing a strategic plan.
The bill also requires the council to actively participate in efforts that further CFI objectives, including (1) fostering collaboration between state agencies that provide services for fathers and families and (2) seeking opportunities to coordinate comprehensive services to increase the services’ impact and avoid service duplication.
Under the bill, these efforts also include supporting fathers of children eligible or formerly eligible for services under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant by:
1.
assisting needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes or in their relatives’ homes;
2.
promoting needy parents’ independence and self-sufficiency by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage;
3.
preventing and reducing incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies;
and 4.
encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
COMMITTEE ACTION Human Services Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 19 Nay 0 (03/31/2021) sSB912 / File No.
514 11
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Action History

  1. HOUSE CALENDAR NUMBER 530

  2. FAV. RPT., TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR

  3. SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  4. SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

  5. FILE NO. 514

  6. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 309

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

  8. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  9. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/19/21

  10. FILED WITH LCO

  11. Joint Favorable Substitute

  12. PUBLIC HEARING 0223

  13. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Human Services

Sponsors

  • Human Services Committee · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 186 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Human Services Committee

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (186)

186 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 912?
SB 912 is sponsored by Human Services Committee.
What is the current status of SB 912?
This bill died with 2021 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” 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.
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