Researcher: MK Page 1 3/13/23
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 6640
AN ACT CONCERNING HOME VISITS AND EVALUATIONS BY THE
COMMISSIONER OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
SUMMARY
Under certain circumstances, this bill explicitly prohibits the
Department of Children and Families (DCF) commissioner, or the
commissioner’s designee, from using telephonic, video, or other
conferencing platforms when the department is required to visit or
evaluate a home where a child in the department’s care has been, or may
be, placed.
The prohibition applies to visits or evaluations conducted to
investigate a report of child abuse or neglect or to cases that involve a
child who is (1) younger than age six; (2) age six or older and not
enrolled in school (public or nonpublic); (3) nonverbal or cannot
communicate adequately due to a disability; or (4) in foster care, a group
home, or a residential treatment program.
The prohibition also applies after a case has been (1) referred to DCF’s
ongoing services unit and (2) deemed moderate or high risk or the
department has identified a safety factor and instituted a safety plan
after conducting a risk assessment.
The bill also prohibits the department from using these technologies
to conduct visits or evaluations (1) after it has approved a family
arrangement in the child’s case or (2) if it conducted the immediately
preceding visit or evaluation by telephonic, video, or other conferencing
platform.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2023
COMMITTEE ACTION 2023HB-06640-R000049-BA.DOCX
Researcher: MK Page 2 3/13/23
Committee on Children
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 17 Nay 2 (02/28/2023)