Connecticut Senate Bill SB00771

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/21
• Refer: 1/29/21

Caption

An Act Concerning The Collection Of Certain Data Relating To Parents Who Have Their Parental Rights Terminated.

Impact

The proposed bill is intended to provide valuable statistical insights into how incarceration affects parental rights, including the number of incarcerated parents involved in termination petitions and the resulting foster care placements of their children. By requiring the collection of detailed demographic data and statistical analyses, the bill aims to inform future policy decisions and facilitate a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding parental rights termination for this vulnerable population.

Summary

SB00771 seeks to amend section 17a-112 of the general statutes by mandating the Commissioner of Children and Families, in collaboration with the Commissioner of Correction, to gather and publish aggregate data on parents who have had their parental rights terminated. This legislation specifically addresses parents who are incarcerated, highlighting the importance of understanding the implications of incarceration on parental rights termination.

Contention

While the bill focuses on data transparency and accountability, concerns may arise regarding the implications of such data collection on civil liberties. Advocates for the rights of incarcerated individuals may argue that this legislation could inadvertently stigmatize parents who have had their rights terminated due to incarceration. However, supporters contend that the data collected will be crucial for addressing systemic issues within the child welfare system as it relates to incarcerated parents.