Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires additional reporting for alternative living arrangements for children in New York.

Highlights:

• Defines “alternative living arrangement” as an out-of-home living arrangement for a child developed as a result of one of the following (Sec. 1):

• An investigation of child maltreatment by the child protective service;

• A differential response program;

• A request for respite services;

• A request for voluntary foster care placement; or

• An investigation regarding allegations that a child might be destitute.

• Expands reporting requirements for the local child abuse and maltreatment register to include information on any alternative living arrangement made for the care of any child (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Office of Children and Family Services to collect and report the following information annually regarding alternative living arrangements (Sec. 3):

• The total number of alternative living arrangement agreements made;

• The total number of children subject to such agreements;

• The total number of children in an alternative living arrangement at the end of the year, and the average number of days those children spent in such arrangements;

• The total number of children whose alternative living arrangement ended during a calendar year, and the average number of days those children spent in such arrangements;

• The total number of alternative living arrangements made during an investigation of child abuse or maltreatment;

• The number of children placed with a relative or other suitable adult pursuant to an alternative living arrangement agreement;

• The number of children placed in respite care;

• The number of children placed in Host Family Homes;

• The total number of children who were returned home from an alternative living arrangement agreement;

• The total number of children who were the subject of a proceeding following removal;

• The total number of children who were the subject of a destitute child petition;

• A descriptive list of preventative services provided to parents, children, and relatives who were subject to an alternative living arrangement agreement; and

• Any other information the commissioner deems necessary to include.

• Requires the information to be disaggregated by age, sex, race, ethnicity, and allegation type, if practicable (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that this Act takes effect 90 days after passage (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text