LCO \\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872-R01- SB.docx 1 of 16 General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 872 January Session, 2021 AN ACT CONCERNING TH E DEPARTMENT OF CHIL DREN AND FAMILIES' RECOMMENDA TIONS FOR REVISIONS TO THE STATUTES CONCERNING CHILDREN. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. Subsection (f) of section 46b-127 of the general statutes is 1 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2 2021): 3 (f) The transfer of a child to a Department of Correction facility shall 4 be limited as provided in subsection (e) of this section and said 5 subsection shall not be construed to permit the transfer of or otherwise 6 reduce or eliminate any other population of juveniles in detention or 7 confinement within the Judicial Department. [or the Department of 8 Children and Families.] 9 Sec. 2. Subsection (b) of section 17a-3 of the general statutes is 10 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 11 2021): 12 (b) [(1) The department, with the assistance of the State Advisory 13 Council on Children and Families, and in consultation with 14 representatives of the children and families served by the department, 15 providers of services to children and families, advocates, and others 16 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 2 of 16 interested in the well-being of children and families in this state, shall 17 develop and regularly update a single, comprehensive strategic plan for 18 meeting the needs of children and families served by the department. In 19 developing and updating the strategic plan, the department shall 20 identify and define agency goals and indicators of progress, including 21 benchmarks, in achieving such goals. The strategic plan shall include, 22 but not be limited to: (A) The department's mission statement; (B) the 23 expected results for the department and each of its mandated areas of 24 responsibility; (C) a schedule of action steps and a time frame for 25 achieving such results and fulfilling the department's mission that 26 includes strategies for working with other state agencies to leverage 27 resources and coordinate service delivery; (D) strategies, informed by 28 data on referrals, substantiations, removal, placements and retention, by 29 which the department shall identify racial and ethnic disparities within 30 child welfare practice and work to eliminate such disparities; (E) 31 priorities for services and estimates of the funding and other resources 32 necessary to carry them out; (F) standards for programs and services 33 that are based on research-based best practices, when available; and (G) 34 relevant measures of performance. 35 (2) The department shall begin the strategic planning process on July 36 1, 2009. The department shall hold regional meetings on the plan to 37 ensure public input and shall post the plan and the plan's updates and 38 progress reports on the department's web site. The department shall 39 submit the strategic plan to the State Advisory Council on Children and 40 Families for review and comment prior to its final submission to the 41 General Assembly and the Governor. On or before July 1, 2010, the 42 department shall submit the strategic plan, in accordance with section 43 11-4a, to the General Assembly and the Governor. 44 (3) The commissioner shall track and report on progress in achieving 45 the strategic plan's goals not later than October 1, 2010, and quarterly 46 thereafter, to said State Advisory Council. The commissioner shall 47 submit a status report on progress in achieving the results in the 48 strategic plan, in accordance with section 11-4a, not later than July 1, 49 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 3 of 16 2011, and annually thereafter to the General Assembly, the joint 50 standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 51 matters relating to children and the Governor.] Not later than July 1, 52 2021, the Commissioner of Children and Families shall submit, in 53 accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing 54 committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 55 relating to children and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies 56 and to the State Advisory Council of Children and Families the 57 following reports for which the commissioner most recently received 58 approval from the Administration for Children and Families pursuant 59 to federal law: (1) The Child and Family Services Plan, (2) the Annual 60 Progress and Services Report, (3) the Final Report of the Child and 61 Family Services Review, and (4) any Program Improvement Plan. 62 Thereafter, the commissioner shall submit, in accordance with the 63 provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the 64 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children and 65 appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and to the State 66 Advisory Council of Children and Families said reports not later than 67 thirty days after the Administration for Children and Families approves 68 the reports. 69 Sec. 3. Subsection (c) of section 17a-4 of the general statutes is 70 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 71 2021): 72 (c) The duties of the council shall be to: (1) Recommend to the 73 commissioner programs, legislation or other matters which will 74 improve services for children and youths, including behavioral health 75 services; (2) annually review and advise the commissioner regarding the 76 proposed budget; (3) interpret to the community at large the policies, 77 duties and programs of the department; (4) issue any reports it deems 78 necessary to the Governor and the Commissioner of Children and 79 Families; (5) [assist in the development of and] review and comment on 80 the [strategic plan developed by the department pursuant to] reports 81 described in subsection (b) of section 17a-3, as amended by this act; (6) 82 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 4 of 16 [receive on a quarterly basis from the commissioner a status report on 83 the department's progress in carrying out the strategic plan; (7)] 84 independently monitor the department's progress in achieving its goals 85 as expressed in [the strategic plan] such reports; and [(8)] (7) offer 86 assistance and provide an outside perspective to the department so that 87 it may be able to achieve the goals expressed in [the strategic plan] such 88 reports. 89 Sec. 4. Section 17a-22bb of the general statutes is repealed and the 90 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 91 (a) [(1)] The Commissioner of Children and Families, in consultation 92 with representatives of the children and families served by the 93 department, including children at increased risk of involvement with 94 the juvenile justice system, providers of mental, emotional or behavioral 95 health services for such children and families, advocates, and others 96 interested in the well-being of children and families in this state, shall 97 develop a comprehensive implementation plan, across agency and 98 policy areas, for meeting the mental, emotional and behavioral health 99 needs of all children in the state, and preventing or reducing the long-100 term negative impact of mental, emotional and behavioral health issues 101 on children. In developing the implementation plan, the department 102 shall include, at a minimum, the following strategies to prevent or 103 reduce the long-term negative impact of mental, emotional and 104 behavioral health issues on children: 105 [(A)] (1) Employing prevention-focused techniques, with an 106 emphasis on early identification and intervention; 107 [(B)] (2) Ensuring access to developmentally-appropriate services; 108 [(C)] (3) Offering comprehensive care within a continuum of services; 109 [(D)] (4) Engaging communities, families and youths in the planning, 110 delivery and evaluation of mental, emotional and behavioral health care 111 services; 112 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 5 of 16 [(E)] (5) Being sensitive to diversity by reflecting awareness of race, 113 culture, religion, language and ability; 114 [(F)] (6) Establishing results-based accountability measures to track 115 progress towards the goals and objectives outlined in this section, 116 sections 17a-22cc, 17a-22dd and 17a-248h and section 7 of public act 13-117 178; 118 [(G)] (7) Applying data-informed quality assurance strategies to 119 address mental, emotional and behavioral health issues in children; 120 [(H)] (8) Improving the integration of school and community-based 121 mental health services; 122 [(I)] (9) Enhancing early interventions, consumer input and public 123 information and accountability by [(i)] (A) in collaboration with the 124 Department of Public Health, increasing family and youth engagement 125 in medical homes; [(ii)] (B) in collaboration with the Department of 126 Social Services, increasing awareness of the 2-1-1 Infoline program; and 127 [(iii)] (C) in collaboration with each program that addresses the mental, 128 emotional or behavioral health of children within the state, insofar as 129 they receive public funds from the state, increasing the collection of data 130 on the results of each program, including information on issues related 131 to response times for treatment, provider availability and access to 132 treatment options; and 133 [(J)] (10) Identifying and addressing any increased risk of 134 involvement in the juvenile and criminal justice system attributable to 135 unmet mental, emotional and behavioral health needs of children. 136 [(2) Not later than April 15, 2014, the commissioner shall submit and 137 present a status report on the progress of the implementation plan, in 138 accordance with section 11-4a, to the Governor and the joint standing 139 committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 140 relating to children and appropriations. 141 (3) On or before October 1, 2014, the commissioner shall submit and 142 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 6 of 16 present the implementation plan, in accordance with section 11-4a, to 143 the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General 144 Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children and 145 appropriations. 146 (4) On or before October 1, 2015, and biennially thereafter through 147 and including 2019, the department shall, in collaboration with the 148 Department of Education, Department of Social Services, Department of 149 Developmental Services, Office of Early Childhood, Department of 150 Public Health and Court Support Services Division of the Judicial 151 Branch, submit and present progress reports on the status of 152 implementation, and any data-driven recommendations to alter or 153 augment the implementation in accordance with section 11-4a, to the 154 Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly 155 having cognizance of matters relating to children and appropriations.] 156 (b) Emergency mobile psychiatric service providers shall collaborate 157 with community-based mental health care agencies, school-based health 158 centers and the contracting authority for each local or regional board of 159 education throughout the state, utilizing a variety of methods, 160 including, but not limited to, memoranda of understanding, policy and 161 protocols regarding referrals and outreach and liaison between the 162 respective entities. These methods shall be designed to (1) improve 163 coordination and communication in order to enable such entities to 164 promptly identify and refer children with mental, emotional or 165 behavioral health issues to the appropriate treatment program, and (2) 166 plan for any appropriate follow-up with the child and family. 167 (c) Local law enforcement agencies and local and regional boards of 168 education that employ or engage school resource officers shall, 169 provided federal funds are available, train school resource officers in 170 nationally recognized best practices to prevent students with mental 171 health issues from being victimized or disproportionately referred to the 172 juvenile justice system as a result of their mental health issues. 173 (d) The Department of Children and Families, in collaboration with 174 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 7 of 16 agencies that provide training for mental health care providers in urban, 175 suburban and rural areas, shall provide phased-in, ongoing training for 176 mental health care providers in evidence-based and trauma-informed 177 interventions and practices. 178 (e) The state shall seek existing public or private reimbursement for 179 (1) mental, emotional and behavioral health care services delivered in 180 the home and in elementary and secondary schools, and (2) mental, 181 emotional and behavioral health care services offered through the 182 Department of Social Services pursuant to the federal Early and Periodic 183 Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program under 42 USC 1396d. 184 [(f) On or before October 1, 2017, the Department of Children and 185 Families, in collaboration with the Judicial Branch and the Department 186 of Correction, shall submit a plan to prevent or reduce the negative 187 impact of mental, emotional and behavioral health issues on children 188 and youth twenty years of age or younger who are held in secure 189 detention or correctional confinement, in accordance with section 11-4a, 190 to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General 191 Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children and 192 appropriations.] 193 [(g)] (f) On or before October 1, 2017, and annually thereafter, the 194 Commissioner of Correction shall compile records regarding the 195 frequency and use of physical restraint and seclusion, as defined in 196 section 46a-150, on children and youth twenty years of age or younger 197 who are in the custody of the commissioner at the John R. Manson Youth 198 Institution, Cheshire, and shall submit a report summarizing such 199 records, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint 200 standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 201 matters relating to children. Such report shall address the prior year and 202 shall indicate, at a minimum, the frequency that (1) physical restraint 203 was used as (A) an emergency intervention, and (B) a nonemergency 204 intervention, and (2) restricted housing or other types of administrative 205 segregation or seclusion were used at such facility. 206 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 8 of 16 [(h) On or before October 1, 2018, the Department of Children and 207 Families, in collaboration with the Children's Mental, Emotional and 208 Behavioral Health Plan Implementation Advisory Board, established 209 pursuant to section 17a-22f, shall submit recommendations for 210 addressing any unmet mental, emotional and behavioral health needs 211 of children that are attributed to an increased risk of involvement in the 212 juvenile and criminal justice systems, in accordance with section 11-4a, 213 to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General 214 Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children and 215 appropriations.] 216 Sec. 5. Subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of subsection (k) of section 217 46b-129 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is 218 substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 219 (B) (i) If a child is at least twelve years of age, the child's permanency 220 plan, and any revision to such plan, shall be developed in consultation 221 with the child. In developing or revising such plan, the child may 222 consult up to two individuals participating in the department's case 223 plan regarding such child, neither of whom shall be the foster parent or 224 caseworker of such child. One individual so selected by such child may 225 be designated as the child's advisor for purposes of developing or 226 revising the permanency plan. Regardless of the child's age, the 227 commissioner shall provide not less than five days' advance written 228 notice of any permanency team meeting concerning the child's 229 permanency plan to an attorney or guardian ad litem appointed to 230 represent the child pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. 231 (ii) If a child is at least twelve years of age, the commissioner shall 232 notify the parent or guardian, foster parent and child of any 233 administrative case review regarding such child's commitment not less 234 than five days prior to such review and shall make a reasonable effort 235 to schedule such review at a time and location that allows the parent or 236 guardian, foster parent and child to attend. 237 (iii) If a child is at least twelve years of age, such child shall, whenever 238 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 9 of 16 possible, identify not more than three adults with whom such child has 239 a significant relationship and who may serve as a permanency resource. 240 The identity of such adults shall be recorded in the case plan of such 241 child. 242 [(iv) Not later than January 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, the 243 commissioner shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions 244 of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General 245 Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children and the 246 judiciary, on the number of case plans in which children have identified 247 adults with whom they have a significant relationship and who may 248 serve as a permanency resource.] 249 Sec. 6. Section 17a-93 of the general statutes is repealed and the 250 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 251 As used in sections 17a-90 to 17a-121a, inclusive, [and] sections 17a-252 145 to 17a-153, inclusive, and sections 7 and 8 of this act: 253 (1) "Child" means any person under eighteen years of age, except as 254 otherwise specified, or any person under twenty-one years of age who 255 is in full-time attendance in a secondary school, a technical school, a 256 college or a state-accredited job training program; 257 (2) "Parent" means natural or adoptive parent; 258 (3) "Adoption" means the establishment by court order of the legal 259 relationship of parent and child; 260 (4) "Guardianship" means guardianship, unless otherwise specified, 261 of the person of a minor and refers to the obligation of care and control, 262 the right to custody and the duty and authority to make major decisions 263 affecting such minor's welfare, including, but not limited to, consent 264 determinations regarding marriage, enlistment in the armed forces and 265 major medical, psychiatric or surgical treatment; 266 (5) "Termination of parental rights" means the complete severance by 267 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 10 of 16 court order of the legal relationship, with all its rights and 268 responsibilities, between the child and the child's parent or parents so 269 that the child is free for adoption except it shall not affect the right of 270 inheritance of such child or the religious affiliation of such child; 271 (6) "Statutory parent" means the Commissioner of Children and 272 Families or that child-placing agency appointed by the court for the 273 purpose of giving a minor child or minor children in adoption; 274 (7) "Child-placing agency" means any agency within or without the 275 state of Connecticut licensed or approved by the Commissioner of 276 Children and Families in accordance with sections 17a-149 and 17a-151, 277 and in accordance with such standards which shall be established by 278 regulations of the Department of Children and Families; 279 (8) "Child care facility" means a congregate residential setting 280 licensed by the Department of Children and Families for the out-of-281 home placement of (A) children or youths under eighteen years of age, 282 or (B) any person under twenty-one years of age who is in full-time 283 attendance in a secondary school, a technical school, a college or state 284 accredited job training program or is currently homeless or at risk of 285 homelessness, as defined in section 17a-484a; 286 (9) "Protective supervision" means a status created by court order 287 following adjudication of neglect whereby a child's place of abode is not 288 changed but assistance directed at correcting the neglect is provided at 289 the request of the court through the Department of Children and 290 Families or such other social agency as the court may specify; 291 (10) "Receiving home" means a facility operated by the Department 292 of Children and Families to receive and temporarily care for children in 293 the guardianship or care of the commissioner; 294 (11) "Protective services" means public welfare services provided 295 after complaints of abuse, neglect or abandonment, but in the absence 296 of an adjudication or assumption of jurisdiction by a court; 297 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 11 of 16 (12) "Person responsible for the health, welfare or care of a child or 298 youth" means a child's or a youth's parent, guardian or foster parent; an 299 employee of a public or private residential home, agency or institution 300 or other person legally responsible in a residential setting; or any staff 301 person providing out-of-home care, such as the provision of child care 302 services, as described in section 19a-77, in a child care center, group 303 child care home or family child care home; 304 (13) "Foster family" means a person or persons, licensed by the 305 Department of Children and Families or approved by a licensed child-306 placing agency, for the care of a child or children in a private home; 307 (14) "Prospective adoptive family" means a person or persons, 308 licensed by the Department of Children and Families or approved by a 309 licensed child-placing agency, who is awaiting the placement of, or who 310 has a child or children placed in their home for the purposes of 311 adoption; [and] 312 (15) "Person entrusted with the care of a child or youth" means a 313 person given access to a child or youth by a person responsible for the 314 health, welfare or care of a child or youth for the purpose of providing 315 education, child care, counseling, spiritual guidance, coaching, training, 316 instruction, tutoring or mentoring of such child or youth; [.] 317 (16) "Qualified residential treatment program" has the same meaning 318 as provided in the Social Security Act, 42 USC 672(k)(4), as amended 319 from time to time; and 320 (17) "Qualified individual" has the same meaning as provided in the 321 Social Security Act, 42 USC 675a(c)(1), as amended from time to time. 322 Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective from passage) The Commissioner of Children 323 and Families shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions 324 of chapter 54 of the general statutes establishing standards for qualified 325 residential treatment programs and qualified individuals. Such 326 standards shall include, but not be limited to, (1) staffing at such 327 treatment programs, (2) the care and treatment of children cared for or 328 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 12 of 16 boarded in such treatment programs, (3) training and qualifications 329 required for a qualified individual, and (4) documentation 330 requirements. The commissioner may implement policies and 331 procedures consistent with the provisions of this section while the 332 commissioner is in the process of adopting such regulations, provided 333 the commissioner shall publish notice of intention to adopt regulations 334 on the eRegulations System not later than twenty days after the 335 implementation of such policies and procedures. Any such policies and 336 procedures shall be valid until such final regulations are effective. 337 Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) As used in this section, 338 "family" or "family member" means a person related to a child by birth, 339 marriage or other legal means, or a fictive kin caregiver, as defined in 340 section 17a-114 of the general statutes. 341 (b) On and after July 1, 2021, or upon approval by the federal 342 Administration for Children and Families of the Connecticut Family 343 First Prevention Plan developed by the Department of Children and 344 Families, whichever is first, a child in the custody of the Commissioner 345 of Children and Families pursuant to section 46b-129 of the general 346 statutes, as amended by this act, who is placed in a qualified residential 347 treatment program, shall, not later than thirty days after such 348 placement, be assessed by a qualified individual designated by the 349 commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this section. Such 350 qualified individual shall (1) assess the strengths and needs of the child 351 using an age-appropriate, evidence-based, validated, functional 352 assessment tool approved by the Secretary of Health and Human 353 Services, (2) determine whether the needs of the child can be met by 354 family members or through placement in a foster family, and, if such 355 needs cannot be met, identify a setting that would provide the most 356 effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive 357 environment and be consistent with the goals for the child as specified 358 in the permanency plan for the child, and (3) develop a list of child-359 specific short-term and long-term mental and behavioral health goals. 360 A qualified individual shall work in conjunction with the child's family 361 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 13 of 16 permanency planning team while conducting an assessment under this 362 section. 363 (c) If the qualified individual conducting an assessment under this 364 section determines that a child should not be placed with family 365 members or in a foster family, the qualified individual shall specify in 366 writing why the needs of the child cannot be met by the child's family 367 or in a foster family, provided a shortage or lack of availability of foster 368 family homes shall not be an acceptable reason for a determination that 369 the child's needs cannot be met in a foster family. If the qualified 370 individual recommends that a child should be placed in a qualified 371 residential treatment program, the qualified individual shall further 372 specify in writing why placement in the qualified residential treatment 373 program will provide the child with the most effective and appropriate 374 level of care in the least restrictive environment and how such 375 placement is consistent with the goals specified in the permanency plan 376 for the child. Such written assessment shall be submitted to the 377 commissioner. 378 (d) (1) On and after July 1, 2021, or upon approval by the federal 379 Administration for Children and Families of the Connecticut Family 380 First Prevention Plan developed by the Department of Children and 381 Families, whichever is first, the Commissioner of Children and Families, 382 not later than thirty-five days after the placement of a child who is in the 383 custody of the commissioner pursuant to section 46b-129 of the general 384 statutes, as amended by this act, in a qualified residential treatment 385 program, shall file a motion with the Superior Court that has venue over 386 such matter for review of the written assessment required pursuant to 387 subsection (c) of this section, unless such child has been discharged from 388 the qualified residential treatment program. 389 (2) Not later than fifteen days after a motion for review is filed 390 pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, the court shall (A) review 391 the findings from the assessment of the child and the determination 392 made pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and the written 393 assessment required pursuant to subsection (c) of this subsection; and 394 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 14 of 16 (B) determine whether the needs of the child can be met through 395 placement with a foster family and, if not, whether placement of the 396 child in the qualified residential treatment program provides the most 397 effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive 398 environment and that such placement is consistent with the goals 399 specified in the permanency plan for the child. The purpose of the 400 determination made pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this subdivision 401 shall be solely for allowing the Commissioner of Children and Families 402 to receive foster care maintenance payments pursuant to Title IV-E of 403 the Social Security Act, as amended from time to time. 404 (e) Following the court's approval or disapproval pursuant to 405 subsection (d) of this section, the Commissioner of Children and 406 Families shall submit evidence to the court at any hearing held with 407 respect to a child that remains placed in a qualified residential treatment 408 program, (1) demonstrating that (A) ongoing assessment of the 409 strengths and needs of the child continues to support the determination 410 that the needs of the child cannot be met through placement in a foster 411 family, (B) the placement in the qualified residential treatment program 412 provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in 413 the least restrictive environment, and (C) the placement is consistent 414 with the goals specified in the permanency plan for the child; (2) 415 documenting the specific treatment or service needs that will be met for 416 the child in the placement and the length of time the child is expected to 417 need such treatment or services; and (3) documenting efforts made by 418 the commissioner to prepare the child to return home or to be placed 419 with a family member, a legal guardian, an adoptive parent or in a foster 420 family. 421 Sec. 9. Subsection (a) of section 17a-4 of the general statutes is 422 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 423 1, 2021): 424 (a) There shall be a State Advisory Council on Children and Families 425 which shall consist of [nineteen] twenty members as follows: (1) 426 [Thirteen] Fourteen members appointed by the Governor, including two 427 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 15 of 16 persons who are child care professionals, two persons eighteen to 428 twenty-five years of age, inclusive, served by the Department of 429 Children and Families, one child psychiatrist licensed to practice 430 medicine in this state, [and] one health care professional who has 431 expertise in children's health and is licensed in the state, one attorney 432 who has expertise in legal issues related to children and youth and seven 433 persons who shall be representative of young persons, parents and 434 others interested in the delivery of services to children and youths, 435 including child protection, behavioral health and prevention services, at 436 least four of whom shall be parents, foster parents or family members of 437 children who have received, or are receiving, behavioral health services 438 or child welfare services; and (2) six members representing the regional 439 advisory councils established pursuant to section 17a-30, appointed one 440 each by the members of each council. [On and after October 1, 2014, no] 441 Not more than half the members of the council shall be persons who 442 receive income from a private practice or any public or private agency 443 that delivers mental health, substance abuse, child abuse prevention and 444 treatment or child welfare services. Members of the council shall serve 445 without compensation, except for necessary expenses incurred in the 446 performance of their duties. The Department of Children and Families 447 shall provide the council with funding to facilitate the participation of 448 those members representing families and youth, as well as for other 449 administrative support services. Members shall serve on the council for 450 terms of two years each and no member shall serve for more than three 451 consecutive terms. The commissioner shall be an ex-officio member of 452 the council without vote and shall attend its meetings. Any member 453 who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or fifty per cent of all 454 meetings during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned. 455 The council shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson to act in the 456 chairperson's absence. 457 Sec. 10. Section 17a-63 of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective 458 from passage) 459 Substitute Bill No. 872 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2021SB-00872- R01-SB.docx } 16 of 16 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 July 1, 2021 46b-127(f) Sec. 2 July 1, 2021 17a-3(b) Sec. 3 July 1, 2021 17a-4(c) Sec. 4 from passage 17a-22bb Sec. 5 from passage 46b-129(k)(1)(B) Sec. 6 from passage 17a-93 Sec. 7 from passage New section Sec. 8 from passage New section Sec. 9 October 1, 2021 17a-4(a) Sec. 10 from passage Repealer section KID Joint Favorable Subst.