Requires additional investigation when three or more claims of abuse or maltreatment of a child are made relating to the same person; requires such person to be investigated and evaluated at least once a year for the next five years from the date of the last report.
Requires child protective services to document every home visit or contact with the child as part of a treatment plan, supervision and monitoring, with photographs of the child.
Establishes alternative living arrangements for children who are at a substantial risk of abuse; defines an alternative living arrangement as a temporary, written and agreed upon out of home living arrangement developed as a result of an investigation of child maltreatment by the child protective service that would allow for a relative or suitable person to temporarily care for a child who is at a substantial risk of abuse or in imminent danger of neglect; requires annual reporting.
Provides that when the state central register of child abuse and maltreatment receives a report by means of a telephone call from a physician, registered nurse or registered physician's assistant or from a social worker or psychologist, or by a law enforcement official, such telephone calls shall not be screened by the hotline but shall be immediately transmitted to the appropriate child protective service for investigation; provides for the child protective service of each county to establish procedures for communication and cooperation with local hospitals and law enforcement to better protect the interests of at risk children and to better provide essential services to their families.
Relates to the statewide presumptive eligibility standard; authorizes local social services districts to utilize child care block grant funds for the presumptive eligibility period.
Establishes the universal child care act to provide for the establishment and funding of universal child care in the state of New York; relates to the effectiveness of the child care availability taskforce; makes an appropriation therefor.
Exempts certain child day care grant awards such as child stabilization grants from taxation; allows child day care providers an extension of time of the original 90 day period to make necessary changes or accommodations to their facility to meet licensing requirements; grants the office of children and family services authority to grant additional extensions of time, if necessary.
Requires the mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse or maltreatment by certain employees of the metropolitan transportation authority; requires such employees to complete coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment.
Relates to minimum standards for first aid and enrollment in child day care centers; requires a child day care center's first aid kit include antiseptic or antibacterial ointment; requires a day care center to provide medication consent forms and a copy of its health care plan upon a child's enrollment.
Establishes a council on children and families within the executive department; moves such council from the office of children and family services; defines terms; authorizes the governor to designate the executive director of such council; makes related provisions.
Authorizes and directs the office of children and family services to conduct a study on the family assessment response program; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.
Limits the experiential qualifications of group teachers for preschool classes and groups teachers for infant or toddler classes to what was required for their educational qualifications.