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Committee advances DCS sunset extension after commissioner outlines progress
Summary
Chairman Jackson presented Senate Bill 1513 to adjust the sunset extension for the Department of Children's Services; Commissioner Margie Quinn outlined reductions in transitional housing, increased treatment beds and a planned real-estate buildout; the committee approved the measure and advanced it.
Chairman Jackson presented Senate Bill 1513, which contains an amendment reducing a prior three-year extension to two years with a one-year lookback. The committee adopted the amendment and called Department of Children Services leadership to testify.
Margie Quinn, commissioner of the Department of Children's Services, reviewed progress on the agency's strategic roadmap and audit responses. She said the department eliminated overnight stays in office settings "Since January 25, there have been no overnight stays in office settings," and cited a nearly 70% reduction (compared with 2022) in children residing nightly in transitional settings. Quinn reported DCS had increased available treatment beds by about 450 over the last three years and noted the department's real-estate plan (three assessment places, six welcome places, and two juvenile justice campuses) will begin execution this year with general-assembly funding.
Committee members pressed for budget and custody statistics; Quinn said the department's budget is about $1,550,000,000, with roughly 7,780 children currently in foster care and an average statewide custody length (FY25) of 588 days. Members asked for additional detail on project planning and system replacements (TFAX replacement, ARPA-funded, expected to go live late October of the year). The committee recorded a roll vote and advanced the bill.
