House subcommittee reports seven children- and family-focused bills favorably; roll-call outcomes summarized
Loading...
Summary
The Human Services Subcommittee advanced seven bills (HB 373, HB 411, HB 395, HB 923, HB 475, HB 529, HB 1267) by recorded votes on a single agenda day; outcomes and brief descriptions are summarized, including vote tallies and sponsors.
The House Human Services Subcommittee heard seven bills and reported them favorably on Wednesday. Brief descriptions and committee vote outcomes follow:
- HB 373 (statute of limitations for mandatory reporters): Sponsor Representative Duggan said the PCS tolls the statute of limitations for failures to report child abuse until the failure comes to the attention of law enforcement. Reported favorably, 14–0.
- PCS for HB 411 (developmental disabilities): Representative Maggard said the PCS adds Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome to the statutory definition of developmental disabilities served by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Reported favorably, 14–0.
- PCS for HB 395 (dependent children; foster-youth engagement): Requires DCF and lead agencies to meet quarterly with foster-youth organizations and report on implementation; Section requiring a foster-youth allowance was removed. Reported favorably, 13–0.
- PCS for HB 923 (recovery residences): Clarifies licensing, transfers and certification for recovery residences; debate focused on elimination of a MAT-related statutory subsection and potential effects on residents receiving medication-assisted treatment. Reported favorably, 10–4.
- PCS for HB 475 (out-of-home placements for high-acuity children): Requires weekly interagency reporting to CBCs on licensed placements and bed availability and an OPPAGA study on specialized placements. Reported favorably, 14–0.
- CS for HB 529 (CBC lead agency and subcontractor liability): Removes or alters statutory liability-insurance language for CBCs; proponents cited insurance-market collapse risk while opponents warned of diminished accountability and taxpayer exposure. Reported favorably, 11–4.
- PCS for HB 1267 (temporary cash assistance eligibility): Allows state flexibility to make certain survivors of human trafficking with felony drug convictions eligible for SNAP benefits under federal permissive authority. Reported favorably, 15–0.
Several bills prompted extended testimony and follow-up work; where witnesses or members requested additional data (notably HB 529) sponsors said they would continue discussions and technical drafting as the measures proceed.
