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Committee approves bill to require weekly interagency placement data reporting to expedite placements for high-acuity children
Summary
PCS for HB 475 would require DCF, DOH, AHCA and APD to provide weekly, real-time reports to community-based care lead agencies on licensed out-of-home placement and bed availability and orders an OPPAGA study of specialized placements for high-acuity children; the committee reported the PCS favorably, 14–0.
Representative Salzman told the Human Services Subcommittee that PCS for HB 475 responds to a statewide problem: children with intensive medical, behavioral or developmental needs sometimes wait in offices or travel far from home for placements because agencies lack coordinated, timely information on bed availability. "We are going to require the agencies to once a week report to the CBCs... what the bed availability is," Salzman said.
The PCS would mandate a weekly interagency data-sharing protocol among the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Department of Health (DOH), Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). It also directs the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) to study supply of specialized placements and interagency coordination for children age 0–18 with intensive, complex needs (including co-occurring disorders).
A young proponent representing Haines Harbor Inc — identified in the record as Akani Latimer — described the need for secure, trauma-informed placements for girls who are survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and urged committee support. Salzman emphasized the bill is an initial step toward a larger package of reforms and thanked staff for technical work.
After a brief debate and sponsor closing, the committee reported PCS for HB 475 favorably by recorded vote, 14 ayes, 0 nays. The PCS does not specify the technical platform for reporting or funding to build real-time feeds; sponsors said the OPPAGA study will help determine supply gaps and coordination needs.
