Connecticut 2022 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB00289 Compare Versions

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4		-	Substitute Senate Bill No. 289
	7	+	General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 289
	8	+	February Session, 2022
5	9
6		-	Public Act No. 22-138
7	10
8	11
9	12		AN ACT CONCERNING OVERSIGHT AND FUNDING OF THE
10	13		CONNECTICUT FATHERHOOD INITIATIVE.
11	14		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
12	15		Assembly convened:
13	16
14		-	Section 1. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) As used in this section and
15		-	section 2 of this act, (1) "Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative", or "CFI",
16		-	means an initiative that (A) promotes the positive involvement and
17		-	interaction of fathers with their children with an emphasis on children
18		-	from low-income families, and (B) identifies services that effectively
19		-	encourage and enhance responsible and skillful parenting and increase
20		-	the ability of fathers to meet the financial and emotional needs of their
21		-	children; and (2) "CFI objectives" means efforts to: (A) Promote public
22		-	education concerning the financial and emotional responsibilities of
23		-	fatherhood, (B) assist men in preparation for the legal, financial and
24		-	emotional responsibilities of fatherhood, (C) promote the establishment
25		-	of paternity at childbirth, (D) encourage fathers, regardless of marital
26		-	status, to foster their emotional connection to and financial support of
27		-	their children, (E) establish support mechanisms for fathers in their
28		-	relationship with their children, regardless of their marital and financial
29		-	status, and (F) integrate state and local services available for families.
30		-	(b) There is established within the Department of Social Services the
31		-	Office of the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative. The office shall be Substitute Senate Bill No. 289
	17	+	Section 1. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) As used in this section and 1
	18	+	section 2 of this act, (1) "Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative", or "CFI", 2
	19	+	means an initiative that (A) promotes the positive involvement and 3
	20	+	interaction of fathers with their children with an emphasis on children 4
	21	+	from low-income families, and (B) identifies services that effectively 5
	22	+	encourage and enhance responsible and skillful parenting and increase 6
	23	+	the ability of fathers to meet the financial and emotional needs of their 7
	24	+	children; and (2) "CFI objectives" means efforts to: (A) Promote public 8
	25	+	education concerning the financial and emotional responsibilities of 9
	26	+	fatherhood, (B) assist men in preparation for the legal, financial and 10
	27	+	emotional responsibilities of fatherhood, (C) promote the establishment 11
	28	+	of paternity at childbirth, (D) encourage fathers, regardless of marital 12
	29	+	status, to foster their emotional connection to and financial support of 13
	30	+	their children, (E) establish support mechanisms for fathers in their 14
	31	+	relationship with their children, regardless of their marital and financial 15
	32	+	status, and (F) integrate state and local services available for families. 16
	33	+	(b) There is established within the Department of Social Services the 17
	34	+	Office of the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative. The office shall be 18
	35	+	overseen by the Commissioner of Social Services and shall perform 19
	36	+	administrative duties on behalf of the CFI in accordance with a strategic 20 Substitute Bill No. 289
32	37
33		-	Public Act No. 22-138 2 of 5
34	38
35		-	overseen by the Commissioner of Social Services and shall perform
36		-	administrative duties on behalf of the CFI in accordance with a strategic
37		-	plan developed and implemented as part of the initiative with the
38		-	approval of the council established pursuant to section 2 of this act.
39		-	Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a CFI
40		-	Council to approve the work of the CFI, including, but not limited to,
41		-	implementation of CFI objectives through a strategic plan developed by
42		-	the CFI. The council shall actively participate in efforts that further CFI
43		-	objectives, including, but not limited to: (1) Fostering collaboration
44		-	between state agencies that provide services for fathers and families; (2)
45		-	(A) coordinating comprehensive services, (B) ensuring the continuity of
46		-	services, (C) heightening the impact of services, and (D) avoiding
47		-	duplication of services; and (3) supporting fathers of children eligible or
48		-	formerly eligible for services under the temporary assistance for needy
49		-	families block grant.
50		-	(b) The membership of the council shall consist of:
51		-	(1) The Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's
52		-	designee;
53		-	(2) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the
54		-	commissioner's designee;
55		-	(3) The Commissioner of Correction, or the commissioner's designee;
56		-	(4) The Commissioner of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's
57		-	designee;
58		-	(5) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;
59		-	(6) The Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the
60		-	commissioner's designee;
61		-	(7) The Commissioner of Housing, or the commissioner's designee; Substitute Senate Bill No. 289
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63		-	Public Act No. 22-138 3 of 5
	43	+	plan developed and implemented by the CFI with the approval of the 21
	44	+	council established pursuant to section 2 of this act. 22
	45	+	Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a CFI 23
	46	+	Council to approve the work of the CFI, including, but not limited to, 24
	47	+	implementation of CFI objectives through a strategic plan developed by 25
	48	+	the CFI. The council shall actively participate in efforts that further CFI 26
	49	+	objectives, including, but not limited to: (1) Fostering collaboration 27
	50	+	between state agencies that provide services for fathers and families; (2) 28
	51	+	(A) coordinating comprehensive services, (B) ensuring the continuity of 29
	52	+	services, (C) heightening the impact of services, and (D) avoiding 30
	53	+	duplication of services; and (3) supporting fathers of children eligible or 31
	54	+	formerly eligible for services under the temporary assistance for needy 32
	55	+	families block grant. 33
	56	+	(b) The membership of the council shall include, but need not be 34
	57	+	limited to: 35
	58	+	(1) The Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's 36
	59	+	designee; 37
	60	+	(2) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the 38
	61	+	commissioner's designee; 39
	62	+	(3) The Commissioner of Correction, or the commissioner's designee; 40
	63	+	(4) The Commissioner of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's 41
	64	+	designee; 42
	65	+	(5) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee; 43
	66	+	(6) The Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the 44
	67	+	commissioner's designee; 45
	68	+	(7) The Commissioner of Housing, or the commissioner's designee; 46
	69	+	(8) The Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee; 47 Substitute Bill No. 289
64	70
65		-	(8) The Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee;
66		-	(9) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or
67		-	the commissioner's designee;
68		-	(10) The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's
69		-	designee;
70		-	(11) The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, or the commissioner's
71		-	designee;
72		-	(12) The chairperson of the Board of Pardons and Parole, or the
73		-	chairperson's designee;
74		-	(13) The director of the Support Enforcement Services Division and
75		-	the executive director of the Court Support Services Division of the
76		-	Judicial Branch, or their designees;
77		-	(14) The Chief Family Support Magistrate, or the Chief Family
78		-	Support Magistrate's designee;
79		-	(15) The president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities,
80		-	or the president's designee;
81		-	(16) The director of the Office of Child Support Services within the
82		-	Department of Social Services, or the director's designee; and
83		-	(17) Eleven members appointed by the Commissioner of Social
84		-	Services, including:
85		-	(A) One with expertise in the area of legal assistance to low-income
86		-	populations;
87		-	(B) One representative of the Governor's Workforce Council;
88		-	(C) One representative of a regional workforce development board; Substitute Senate Bill No. 289
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90		-	Public Act No. 22-138 4 of 5
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92		-	(D) One member with expertise in family relations;
93		-	(E) One or more representatives of a local fatherhood program;
94		-	(F) One member with expertise in male mental and physical health;
95		-	(G) One member representing the interests of custodial parents;
96		-	(H) One member representing the interests of noncustodial parents;
97		-	(I) One member representing the interests of children;
98		-	(J) One member with expertise in the area of domestic violence; and
99		-	(K) One member with expertise in child development.
100		-	(c) The Commissioner of Social Services shall serve as a chairperson
101		-	of the council and shall designate a cochairperson from among the
102		-	membership of the council. The commissioner shall convene the council
103		-	not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section, and the
104		-	council shall meet at least quarterly thereafter. The commissioner shall
105		-	fill any vacancy of seats under subdivision (17) of subsection (b) of this
106		-	section.
107		-	(d) The Commissioner of Social Services may designate a working
108		-	group from among the members of the council to carry out specific
109		-	duties required under this section and section 1 of this act. The
110		-	commissioner shall seek the advice and participation of any person,
111		-	organization or state or federal agency the commissioner deems
112		-	necessary to carry out the provisions of this section and section 1 of this
113		-	act.
114		-	(e) The Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation with the
115		-	council and within available resources, shall apply for any available
116		-	federal and private funds for programs that promote CFI objectives in
117		-	accordance with this section and section 1 of this act. The commissioner Substitute Senate Bill No. 289
	76	+	(9) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or 48
	77	+	the commissioner's designee; 49
	78	+	(10) The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's 50
	79	+	designee; 51
	80	+	(11) The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, or the commissioner's 52
	81	+	designee; 53
	82	+	(12) The chairperson of the Board of Pardons and Parole, or the 54
	83	+	chairperson's designee; 55
	84	+	(13) The executive director of the Support Enforcement Services 56
	85	+	Division and the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch, 57
	86	+	or their designees; 58
	87	+	(14) The Chief Family Support Magistrate, or the Chief Family 59
	88	+	Support Magistrate's designee; 60
	89	+	(15) The president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, 61
	90	+	or the president's designee; 62
	91	+	(16) The director of the Office of Child Support Services within the 63
	92	+	Department of Social Services, or the director's designee; and 64
	93	+	(17) At least eleven members appointed by the Commissioner of 65
	94	+	Social Services, including: 66
	95	+	(A) One with expertise in the area of legal assistance to low-income 67
	96	+	populations; 68
	97	+	(B) One representative of the Governor's Workforce Council; 69
	98	+	(C) One representative of a regional workforce development board; 70
	99	+	(D) One member with expertise in family relations; 71
	100	+	(E) One or more representatives of a local fatherhood program; 72 Substitute Bill No. 289
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119		-	Public Act No. 22-138 5 of 5
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121		-	shall award grants from any such available funds to entities that provide
122		-	(1) employment and training opportunities for low-income fathers to
123		-	increase the earning capacity of such fathers; (2) classes in parenting and
124		-	financial literacy; and (3) other support services and programs that
125		-	promote responsible parenting, economic stability and communication
126		-	and interaction between fathers and their children.
127		-	(f) Applicants for grants provided pursuant to subsection (e) of this
128		-	section shall apply to the Commissioner of Social Services at such time
129		-	and in such manner as prescribed by the commissioner. The
130		-	commissioner shall, in consultation with the council, establish criteria
131		-	for eligibility for grants and for the awarding of grants. At a minimum,
132		-	the commissioner shall require grantees to (1) implement accountability
133		-	measures and results-based outcomes as a condition of being awarded
134		-	a grant; (2) leverage funds through existing resources and collaboration
135		-	with community-based and nonprofit organizations; and (3) consult
136		-	with experts in domestic violence to ensure that, when appropriate, the
137		-	programs and services provided to fathers and families pursuant to this
138		-	section and section 1 of this act address issues concerning domestic
139		-	violence.
140		-	(g) Not later than December 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the
141		-	commissioner, in consultation with the council, shall report, in
142		-	accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint
143		-	standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of
144		-	matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies,
145		-	human services and children on the grant program's effectiveness in
146		-	achieving CFI objectives.
147		-	Sec. 3. Section 17b-27a of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective
148		-	from passage)
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	107	+	(F) One member with expertise in male mental and physical health; 73
	108	+	(G) One member representing the interests of custodial parents; 74
	109	+	(H) One member representing the interests of noncustodial parents; 75
	110	+	(I) One member representing the interests of children; 76
	111	+	(J) One member with expertise in the area of domestic violence; and 77
	112	+	(K) One member with expertise in child development. 78
	113	+	(c) The Commissioner of Social Services shall serve as a chairperson 79
	114	+	of the council and shall designate a cochairperson from among the 80
	115	+	membership of the council. The commissioner shall convene the council 81
	116	+	not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section, and the 82
	117	+	council shall meet at least quarterly thereafter. The commissioner shall 83
	118	+	fill any vacancy on the council. 84
	119	+	(d) The Commissioner of Social Services may designate a working 85
	120	+	group from among the members of the council to carry out specific 86
	121	+	duties required under this section and section 1 of this act. The 87
	122	+	commissioner shall seek the advice and participation of any person, 88
	123	+	organization or state or federal agency the commissioner deems 89
	124	+	necessary to carry out the provisions of this section and section 1 of this 90
	125	+	act. 91
	126	+	(e) The Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation with the 92
	127	+	council and within available resources, shall apply for any available 93
	128	+	federal and private funds for programs that promote CFI objectives in 94
	129	+	accordance with this section and section 1 of this act. The commissioner 95
	130	+	shall award grants from any such available funds to entities that provide 96
	131	+	(1) employment and training opportunities for low-income fathers to 97
	132	+	increase the earning capacity of such fathers; (2) classes in parenting and 98
	133	+	financial literacy; and (3) other support services and programs that 99
	134	+	promote responsible parenting, economic stability and communication 100
	135	+	and interaction between fathers and their children. 101 Substitute Bill No. 289
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	141	+
	142	+	(f) Applicants for grants provided pursuant to subsection (e) of this 102
	143	+	section shall apply to the Commissioner of Social Services at such time 103
	144	+	and in such manner as prescribed by the commissioner. The 104
	145	+	commissioner shall, in consultation with the council, establish criteria 105
	146	+	for eligibility for grants and for the awarding of grants. At a minimum, 106
	147	+	the commissioner shall require grantees to (1) implement accountability 107
	148	+	measures and results-based outcomes as a condition of being awarded 108
	149	+	a grant; (2) leverage funds through existing resources and collaboration 109
	150	+	with community-based and nonprofit organizations; and (3) consult 110
	151	+	with experts in domestic violence to ensure that, when appropriate, the 111
	152	+	programs and services provided to fathers and families pursuant to this 112
	153	+	section and section 1 of this act address issues concerning domestic 113
	154	+	violence. 114
	155	+	(g) Not later than December 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the 115
	156	+	commissioner, in consultation with the council, shall report, in 116
	157	+	accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint 117
	158	+	standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of 118
	159	+	matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, 119
	160	+	human services and children on the grant program's effectiveness in 120
	161	+	achieving CFI objectives. 121
	162	+	Sec. 3. Section 17b-27a of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective 122
	163	+	from passage) 123
	164	+	This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
	165	+	sections:
	166	+
	167	+	Section 1 from passage New section
	168	+	Sec. 2 from passage New section
	169	+	Sec. 3 from passage Repealer section
	170	+
	171	+	Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
	172	+	In Section(1)(a)(1)(A), "low income children" was changed to children
	173	+	from low-income families" for clarity; and in Section 2(b)(17)(B),
	174	+	"Connecticut Employment and Training Commission" was changed to
	175	+	"Governor's Workforce Council" for accuracy. Substitute Bill No. 289
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