Requires statewide training for mandated reporters to include how to identify an abused or maltreated child with an intellectual or developmental disability.
Relates to chemical testing for prospective foster parents; includes, but is not limited to drug and alcohol testing; authorizes office of children and family services to issue random chemical testing, including but not limited to, drug testing, to foster parents.
Enacts "Melanie's law"; relates to orders of protection; allows courts to issue orders of protection for immediate family members or household members of the named victims, regardless of age.
Relates to defining "critical violations" of applicable statutes and regulations by child care providers licensed or registered by the office of children and family services; the imposition of sanctions and penalties for such violations by the office of children and family services; and processes for administrative appeal of such sanctions and penalties.
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.
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 procedures for temporary custody orders that include a fifty-fifty rebuttable presumption that the parents shall have temporary joint legal and shared physical custody and shall share equal parenting time.
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.
Establishes the presumption in matrimonial proceedings for awarding shared parenting of minor children in the absence of an allegation that shared parenting would be detrimental to the best interests of the child; establishes an order of preference in awarding custody; defines shared parenting and parenting plan.
Establishes a division of early childhood within the office of children and family services to coordinate, consolidate and integrate early childhood programs.