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Committee unanimously approves bill requiring recent in-person check before DCS case closure
Summary
The committee passed House Bill 10-36, requiring an in-person assessment within 30 days before case closure or discharge in child-protection cases; proponents framed it as a safety step inspired by a fatality case and the amendment changing '5' to '30' was taken by consent.
Representative Garcia Wilburn presented House Bill 10-36, which would require the Department of Child Services (DCS) to conduct a face-to-face assessment within 30 days before closing or discharging a case. The author said the change was made by amendment (striking '5' and inserting '30') in collaboration with DCS.
Braylon Yerington read written testimony from the family of Kinsley Welty, whose death the bill’s sponsors cited as motivation for stricter oversight and in-person verification. Yerington described repeated DCS involvement and urged the committee to require recent in-person verification prior to case closure.
Committee members asked no substantive technical questions; the amendment was accepted by consent and the committee passed HB 10-36 as amended on a 13–0 vote.
Next steps: The bill was passed out of committee and will proceed through the legislative process; advocates said they will continue to follow DCS implementation details.
