Panel backs bill requiring monthly county social services coordination meetings

The Senate Health and Human Resources Committee voted to report to the full Senate a bill that would require each county bureau of social services to convene a monthly meeting to review the operational status of the county agency and coordinate among stakeholders; the committee directed that the bill first be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Counsel said the bill "requires the meeting to be chaired by the Bureau of Social Services supervisor or his or her designee" and that invited participants would include the Department of Human Services regional director, divisional representatives, the county prosecutor, county sheriff, county superintendent of schools, members of the legislature whose districts include the county, county commission members, representatives of local hospitals and nonprofit organizations serving children and families, and other stakeholders as appropriate. Counsel listed agenda items including child welfare metrics such as response times, open caseloads and placement data, cross-county coordination issues (law enforcement referrals, school reporting, court interactions), barriers to service (transportation, treatment access, provider shortages), children placed out of state, emergency or systemic issues and matters required by rule. Counsel said annual training would be required and reporting would be established; a fiscal note had been requested and DHS was identified as the impacted agency.

With no amendments, the Vice Chair moved that the bill be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass and that it first be referred to the Committee on Finance under the original double committee reference; the motion was adopted by voice vote.

Next steps: The bill will go to the Committee on Finance for review of fiscal implications before the full Senate votes on the committee recommendation.