H259 - 2023 Appropriations Act. (SL 2023-134)

Overview: Section 9H.15(j) of S.L. 2023-134 establishes at least three citizen review panels as required by the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). These panels must be operated and managed by a qualified organization independent from any State or county department of social services. Each panel will consist of volunteer members broadly representing the community including members with expertise in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect and can include adult former victims of child abuse or neglect. The panels will evaluate the extent to which the State is meeting its responsibilities under its CAPTA State Plan, review policies, procedures, and practices of State and local child protection agencies, and can review any other criteria it determines important to the safety of children, including review of child fatalities and near fatalities, and the extent to which the State and local child protective services are coordinated with Title IV-E foster care and adoption assistance programs of the Social Security Act. The panels must include public outreach and comment to assess the impact of current procedures and practices on children and families. The panels must prepare an annual report available to the State and public summarizing the panel's activities and recommendations for improving child protection at the State and local level. The Division of Social Services must prepare a response to the review panels' report describing whether or how the recommendations will be incorporated to make measurable progress in improving State and local child protective services.

This section becomes effective January 1, 2025.