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Panel backs bill requiring DYRS to contact parents at least every six months
Summary
The committee advanced Bill 20-64-08 to require the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services to attempt contact with a youth's parent or guardian every six months about progress on individualized rehabilitation plans and to maintain an electronic log of outreach.
The committee moved the print and report for Bill 20-64-08, the Promoting Parental Engagement at DYRS Amendment Act, which requires DYRS to make recurring contact at least every six months with a youth's parent, guardian, or custodian after predisposition meetings and to keep an electronic log of reasonable outreach attempts that can be provided to the council committee chair upon request.
Councilor Bonsko questioned whether the six-month benchmark covers instances when a youth receives medical treatment while in DYRS custody or when a youth is placed out of state, asking, "Is there a standard law that says, if someone in our custody is treated, has medical treatment that is mandatory that their guardian be notified?" A sponsoring lawmaker said current policy requires parental notification in emergencies but acknowledged that communication is inconsistently implemented and that the bill sets a baseline for routine outreach. The sponsor said the logging requirement does not currently require recording emergency notifications or out-of-state placements but that they were open to working on an amendment before the Committee of the Whole to capture those events.
After discussion and offers to work on possible amendments to require logging of emergency or out-of-state notifications, the committee approved the print unanimously.
