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Sunday, October 2, 2005
Bill Text   -   A00313
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                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K                   
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                                                               
                                        313--A                                 
                                                                               
                              2005-2006 Regular Sessions                       
                                                                               
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y                          
                                                                               
                                   January 10, 2005                            
                                      ___________                              
                                                                               
       Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN, LAVELLE, McENENY, JOHN -- Multi-Sponsored
         by  --  M. of A.  ALFANO -- read once and referred to the Committee on
         Children and Families -- committee discharged, bill  amended,  ordered
         reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee                
                                                                               
       AN  ACT  to amend the social services law, in relation to establishing a
         demonstration project  implementing  a  dual  track  child  protective
         services  system; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon
         expiration thereof                                                    
                                                                               
         THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:                                               
                                                                               
    1    Section  1.  Short  title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
    2  the "Dual Track Response Demonstration Project".                        
    3    S 2.  The social services law is amended by adding a new section 427-a
    4  to read as follows:                                                     
    5    S 427-A. DUAL TRACK DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.  1. THE OFFICE OF  CHILDREN
    6  AND  FAMILY SERVICES IS AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO
    7  TEST THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ESTABLISHING A  DUAL  TRACK  CHILD  PROTECTIVE
    8  RESPONSE  SYSTEM.  THIS  SYSTEM  WOULD  BE ESTABLISHED AS AN ALTERNATIVE
    9  MEANS OF ADDRESSING CERTAIN MATTERS CURRENTLY  INVESTIGATED  AS  ALLEGA-
   10  TIONS  OF  CHILD  ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE. NOTWITH-
   11  STANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE  PROVISIONS  OF
   12  THIS  SECTION  WILL  APPLY  ONLY TO THOSE CASES INVOLVING ALLEGATIONS OF
   13  ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT IN FAMILY SETTINGS EXPRESSLY INCLUDED IN THE FAMI-
   14  LY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK, AND  ONLY  IN  THOSE  SOCIAL  SERVICES
   15  DISTRICTS  PERMITTED  BY  THE  OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES TO
   16  PARTICIPATE IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.    SUCH  CASES  SHALL  NOT  BE
   17  SUBJECT  TO  THE  REQUIREMENTS OTHERWISE APPLICABLE TO CASES REPORTED TO
   18  THE STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTER OF CHILD ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT  PURSUANT
   19  TO THIS TITLE, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.                     
   20    2. ANY SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT MAY, WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE OFFICE
   21  OF  CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, PARTICIPATE IN THE DUAL TRACK RESPONSE
                                                                               
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             { } is old law to be omitted.                     
                                                                  LBD01276-02-5
                                                                               
       A. 313--A                           2                                   
                                                                               
    1  DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.  THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY  SERVICES  MAY
    2  APPROVE  UP  TO  SEVEN  DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
    3  ANY SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING MUST  APPLY  TO
    4  THE  OFFICE  OF  CHILDREN  AND FAMILY SERVICES FOR PERMISSION TO PARTIC-
    5  IPATE. THE CRITERIA FOR A SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT TO  PARTICIPATE  WILL
    6  BE  DETERMINED  BY THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES IN COLLAB-
    7  ORATION WITH THE OFFICE FOR THE PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HOWEVER
    8  THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT`S APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE A  PLAN  SETTING
    9  FORTH THE FOLLOWING:                                                    
   10    (A)  IN  CONJUNCTION  WITH  ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY THE
   11  OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES AND THE PROVISIONS OF THIS  PARA-
   12  GRAPH AND IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE FOR THE PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC
   13  VIOLENCE,  THE  FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT
   14  IN DETERMINING WHICH CASES WILL BE ADDRESSED THROUGH THE FAMILY  ASSESS-
   15  MENT AND SERVICES TRACK AND THE SIZE OF THE POPULATION TO BE THE SUBJECT
   16  OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT;                                           
   17    (B) THE TYPES OF SERVICES AND INTERVENTIONS TO BE PROVIDED TO FAMILIES
   18  INCLUDED  IN  THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK AND A DESCRIPTION
   19  OF HOW THE SERVICES WILL BE OFFERED;                                    
   20    (C) A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS TO BE FOLLOWED FOR PLANNING AND MONI-
   21  TORING THE SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER THE FAMILY  ASSESSMENT  AND  SERVICES
   22  TRACK;                                                                  
   23    (D)  A  DESCRIPTION  OF  HOW  THE PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY INVOLVEMENT AND
   24  SUPPORT CONSISTENT WITH MAINTAINING THE SAFETY  OF  THE  CHILD  WILL  BE
   25  IMPLEMENTED IN THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK;                
   26    (E)  A  DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE DUAL TRACK RESPONSE SYSTEM WILL ENHANCE
   27  THE ABILITY OF THE DISTRICT TO PROTECT CHILDREN, MAINTAIN THE SAFETY  OF
   28  CHILDREN AND PRESERVE FAMILIES;                                         
   29    (F)  A  DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE DISTRICT WILL REDUCE THE INVOLVEMENT OF
   30  GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WITH FAMILIES AND MAINTAIN THE  SAFETY  OF  CHILDREN
   31  THROUGH THE USE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES;                                 
   32    (G)  A  DESCRIPTION  OF THE STAFF RESOURCES PROPOSED TO BE USED IN THE
   33  FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED STAFF WORK-
   34  LOADS AND QUALIFICATIONS;                                               
   35    (H) A DESCRIPTION OF THE TRAINING THAT WILL BE  PROVIDED  TO  DISTRICT
   36  AND  ANY  NON-DISTRICT  STAFF  TO  BE  USED IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
   37  INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, A DESCRIPTION OF THE  TRAINING  INVOLVING
   38  MAINTAINING THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN;                      
   39    (I)  A  DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT ARE PROPOSED TO BE
   40  USED IN THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK;                       
   41    (J) A DESCRIPTION OF ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT MAY  BE  UTILIZED  TO
   42  ENHANCE THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT; AND                                  
   43    (K)  A  DESCRIPTION  OF THE PROTOCOL TO BE FOLLOWED FOR HANDLING CASES
   44  WHERE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS PRESENT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN  THE  SAFETY  OF
   45  THE CHILD THROUGH THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK.             
   46    3.  THE  CRITERIA  FOR  DETERMINING  WHICH  CASES MAY BE PLACED IN THE
   47  ASSESSMENT TRACK UNDER THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT SHALL BE DETERMINED  BY
   48  THE  LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OFFICE
   49  OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES AND THE OFFICE  FOR  THE  PREVENTION  OF
   50  DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT REPORTS INCLUDING ANY OF THE
   51  FOLLOWING ALLEGATIONS SHALL NEVER BE INCLUDED IN THE ASSESSMENT TRACK OF
   52  A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT:                                                
   53    (A) REPORTS ALLEGING THAT THE  SUBJECT  COMMITTED  OR  ALLOWED  TO  BE
   54  COMMITTED  AN OFFENSE DEFINED IN ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE PENAL
   55  LAW;                                                                    
                                                                               
       A. 313--A                           3                                   
                                                                               
    1    (B) REPORTS ALLEGING THAT THE SUBJECT ALLOWED, PERMITTED OR ENCOURAGED
    2  A CHILD TO ENGAGE IN ANY ACT DESCRIBED IN SECTIONS  230.25,  230.30  AND
    3  230.32 OF THE PENAL LAW;                                                
    4    (C)  REPORTS  ALLEGING  THAT  THE  SUBJECT  COMMITTED  ANY OF THE ACTS
    5  DESCRIBED IN SECTION 255.25 OF THE PENAL LAW;                           
    6    (D) REPORTS ALLEGING THAT THE SUBJECT ALLOWED A  CHILD  TO  ENGAGE  IN
    7  ACTS  OR  CONDUCT  DESCRIBED  IN  ARTICLE TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE OF THE
    8  PENAL LAW;                                                              
    9    (E) REPORTS ALLEGING THAT THE SUBJECT COMMITTED ASSAULT IN THE  FIRST,
   10  SECOND OR THIRD DEGREE AGAINST A CHILD;                                 
   11    (F) REPORTS ALLEGING THAT THE SUBJECT COMMITTED OR ATTEMPTED TO COMMIT
   12  MURDER OR MANSLAUGHTER IN THE FIRST OR SECOND DEGREE;                   
   13    (G)  REPORTS  ALLEGING  THAT THE SUBJECT ABANDONED A CHILD PURSUANT TO
   14  SUBDIVISION FIVE OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FOUR-B OF THIS ARTICLE;
   15    (H) REPORTS ALLEGING THAT THE SUBJECT HAS SUBJECTED A CHILD TO  SEVERE
   16  OR  REPEATED  ABUSE AS THOSE TERMS ARE DEFINED IN PARAGRAPHS (A) AND (B)
   17  OF SUBDIVISION EIGHT OF SECTION  THREE  HUNDRED  EIGHTY-FOUR-B  OF  THIS
   18  ARTICLE; AND                                                            
   19    (I)  REPORTS  ALLEGING THAT THE SUBJECT HAS NEGLECTED A CHILD SO AS TO
   20  SUBSTANTIALLY ENDANGER THE CHILD`S PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH,  INCLUDING
   21  A  GROWTH DELAY, WHICH MAY BE REFERRED TO AS FAILURE TO THRIVE, THAT HAS
   22  BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A PHYSICIAN AND IS DUE TO PARENTAL NEGLECT.           
   23    4. THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES SHALL BE FOLLOWED FOR ALL  CASES  INCLUDED
   24  IN THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK:                            
   25    (A) REPORTS TAKEN AT THE STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTER OF CHILD ABUSE AND
   26  MALTREATMENT SHALL BE TRANSMITTED TO THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL CHILD PROTEC-
   27  TIVE SERVICE.                                                           
   28    (B) A SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT PERMITTED BY THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND
   29  FAMILY  SERVICES  TO  PARTICIPATE  IN  THE  DEMONSTRATION PROJECT SHALL,
   30  CONSISTENT WITH THE CRITERIA DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE  OF
   31  THIS  SECTION, IDENTIFY THOSE REPORTS WHICH ARE INITIALLY ELIGIBLE TO BE
   32  INCLUDED IN THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK.                   
   33    (C) FOR THOSE REPORTS WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT  AND
   34  SERVICES TRACK, THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE
   35  REQUIREMENTS  OF  THIS TITLE CONCERNING INITIAL INVESTIGATION OF REPORTS
   36  OF SUSPECTED ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT OF CHILDREN, INCLUDING  NOTIFICATION
   37  REQUIREMENTS.    FOR  REPORTS  ASSIGNED  TO  THE  FAMILY  ASSESSMENT AND
   38  SERVICES TRACK, THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT SHALL  BE  RESPONSIBLE  FOR
   39  ENSURING  THAT  THE  CHILDREN ARE SAFE IN THEIR HOMES. SUCH SAFETY CHECK
   40  SHALL BE COMMENCED WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF RECEIPT OF THE REPORT AND
   41  COMPLETED WITHIN SEVEN DAYS.   BASED ON THE INITIAL  SAFETY  CHECK,  THE
   42  DISTRICT  SHALL  DETERMINE IF THE REPORT SHALL CONTINUE UNDER THE FAMILY
   43  ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK.  THIS SAFETY CHECK MUST BE DOCUMENTED  IN
   44  THE  MANNER  SPECIFIED  BY  THE  OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES.
   45  SHOULD THE CHILDREN BE FOUND TO BE SAFE IN THE HOME, THE SOCIAL SERVICES
   46  DISTRICT SHALL THEN IDENTIFY SERVICE NEEDS AND FAMILY  ISSUES,  IF  ANY,
   47  THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.                                               
   48    (I)  WHERE  THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT  DETERMINES,  BASED ON THE
   49  INITIAL SAFETY CHECK, THAT THE REPORT IS APPROPRIATE TO BE  INCLUDED  IN
   50  THE  FAMILY  ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK, THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT
   51  SHALL DOCUMENT THE REASON FOR THAT DETERMINATION IN THE  INITIAL  SAFETY
   52  CHECK  AND  INFORM  THE  STATEWIDE  CENTRAL  REGISTER OF CHILD ABUSE AND
   53  MALTREATMENT THAT THE REPORT  IS  PART  OF  THE  FAMILY  ASSESSMENT  AND
   54  SERVICES  TRACK  AND  REQUEST  THAT THE RECORDS OF THE STATEWIDE CENTRAL
   55  REGISTER OF CHILD ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT OF SUCH REPORT BE CLASSIFIED AS
   56  AN ASSESSMENT TRACK CASE AND BE LEGALLY SEALED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE
                                                                               
       A. 313--A                           4                                   
                                                                               
    1  PROVISIONS  OF  SUBDIVISION  FIVE  OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF
    2  THIS TITLE.  SUCH SEALED REPORTS SHALL BE MAINTAINED  AT  THE  STATEWIDE
    3  CENTRAL REGISTER OF CHILD ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT FOR TEN YEARS AFTER THE
    4  REPORT WAS MADE.                                                        
    5    (II)  WHERE  THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT  DETERMINES, BASED ON THE
    6  INITIAL SAFETY CHECK, TO INVESTIGATE THE REPORT AS A REPORT OF SUSPECTED
    7  CHILD ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT, THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT SHALL DOCUMENT
    8  THE REASON FOR THAT DECISION IN THE  INITIAL  SAFETY  CHECK.  WHERE  THE
    9  SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT  MAKES  THE  DETERMINATION TO INVESTIGATE THE
   10  REPORT, ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS TITLE CONCERNING  INVESTIGATIONS
   11  OF  REPORTS  OF  SUSPECTED  CHILD  ABUSE  AND  MALTREATMENT SHALL APPLY,
   12  INCLUDING THE NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. THE REPORT SHALL NO  LONGER  BE
   13  ELIGIBLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK.    
   14    (D)  WHERE  THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT HAS DETERMINED THAT A CASE IS
   15  APPROPRIATE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES  TRACK,
   16  THE DISTRICT`S ACTIVITIES SHALL INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM, THE FOLLOWING:   
   17    (I)  THE PROVISION OF WRITTEN NOTICE TO EACH PARENT, GUARDIAN OR OTHER
   18  PERSON LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHILD OR  CHILDREN  PARTICIPATING  IN
   19  THE  FAMILY  ASSESSMENT  AND  SERVICES  TRACK  EXPLAINING THAT IT IS THE
   20  INTENT OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF  THE  FAMILY
   21  WITHOUT  ENGAGING  IN  A  TRADITIONAL CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES INVESTI-
   22  GATION. THE NOTICE SHALL ALSO EXPLAIN THAT  THE  WORKERS  ASSISTING  THE
   23  FAMILY  IN  THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK ARE MANDATED REPOR-
   24  TERS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD  ABUSE  OR  MALTREATMENT
   25  AND  THAT  THOSE  WORKERS MAY BE REQUIRED TO REPORT NEW INFORMATION THAT
   26  THEY RECEIVE IN THEIR WORK WITH THE FAMILY  IF  THAT  INFORMATION  GIVES
   27  THEM REASONABLE CAUSE TO SUSPECT THAT A CHILD IN THE FAMILY IS AN ABUSED
   28  OR MALTREATED CHILD;                                                    
   29    (II)  AN  EXAMINATION,  WITH  THE  FAMILY,  OF THE FAMILY`S STRENGTHS,
   30  CONCERNS AND NEEDS;                                                     
   31    (III) WHERE APPROPRIATE, AN OFFER OF ASSISTANCE  WHICH  SHALL  INCLUDE
   32  CASE MANAGEMENT THAT IS SUPPORTIVE OF FAMILY STABILIZATION;             
   33    (IV)  THE PLANNING AND PROVISION OF SERVICES RESPONSIVE TO THE SERVICE
   34  NEEDS OF THE FAMILY; AND                                                
   35    (V) AN ON-GOING  JOINT  EVALUATION  AND  ASSESSMENT  OF  THE  FAMILY`S
   36  PROGRESS.                                                               
   37    (E)  AFTER  THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT  HAS  RECEIVED A REPORT OF
   38  SUSPECTED MALTREATMENT AND  DETERMINED  THAT  THE  REPORT  IS  INITIALLY
   39  ELIGIBLE  TO  BE  INCLUDED  IN THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK,
   40  PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE ACTIVITIES  DESCRIBED
   41  IN  PARAGRAPHS  (C)  AND (D) OF THIS SUBDIVISION MAY BE PERFORMED BY THE
   42  SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT DIRECTLY OR THROUGH ANY OTHER METHOD  CURRENTLY
   43  UTILIZED  BY SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICTS TO OBTAIN PREVENTIVE SERVICES FOR
   44  CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.  IF A COMMUNITY-BASED AGENCY DETERMINES, PURSUANT
   45  TO SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THAT A REPORT
   46  MUST BE INVESTIGATED AS A CASE OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE OR MALTREATMENT,
   47  THE COMMUNITY-BASED AGENCY SHALL SO INFORM THE SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT,
   48  WHICH SHALL THEN BECOME RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING THE CHILD  PROTECTIVE
   49  SERVICES  INVESTIGATION  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  THE  REQUIREMENTS OF THIS
   50  TITLE.                                                                  
   51    (F) A REPORT SELECTED FOR  INCLUSION  IN  THE  FAMILY  ASSESSMENT  AND
   52  SERVICES  TRACK  SHALL  CEASE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR INCLUSION IN THE FAMILY
   53  ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK IF AT ANY TIME IN THE COURSE OF  PROVIDING
   54  SERVICES THE DISTRICT OR COMMUNITY-BASED AGENCY FINDS THAT:             
   55    (I)  THERE  IS  EVIDENCE  OF  ANY OF THE ACTS LISTED IN PARAGRAPHS (A)
   56  THROUGH (I) OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION;                       
                                                                               
       A. 313--A                           5                                   
                                                                               
    1    (II) THE PARENT OR PARENTS REFUSE TO COOPERATE WITH  THE  DISTRICT  OR
    2  COMMUNITY-BASED  AGENCY  IN DEVELOPING OR IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO ADDRESS
    3  THE FAMILY PROBLEMS OR ISSUES AND A WORKER ASSISTING THE FAMILY  IN  THE
    4  FAMILY  ASSESSMENT  AND  SERVICES  TRACK HAS REASONABLE CAUSE TO SUSPECT
    5  THAT A CHILD IN THE FAMILY IS AN ABUSED OR MALTREATED CHILD; OR         
    6    (III) THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THE LIFE OR HEALTH OF A CHILD OR CHILDREN
    7  PARTICIPATING IN THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK IS IN IMMINENT
    8  DANGER.                                                                 
    9    (G)  WHERE THE DISTRICT FINDS OR IS ADVISED BY A COMMUNITY-BASED AGEN-
   10  CY, SUBSEQUENT TO THE COMPLETION OF THE INITIAL SAFETY CHECK,  THAT  THE
   11  REPORT  IS  NOT  APPROPRIATE  TO  CONTINUE  IN THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND
   12  SERVICES TRACK PURSUANT  TO  PARAGRAPH  (F)  OF  THIS  SUBDIVISION,  THE
   13  DISTRICT SHALL CONTACT THE STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTER OF CHILD ABUSE AND
   14  MALTREATMENT AND MAKE A NEW REPORT OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE OR MALTREAT-
   15  MENT.                                                                   
   16    (H)  WHERE  A  REPORT HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE INVESTIGATORY TRACK AND
   17  THE  PARTICIPATING  DISTRICT  OR  A  COMMUNITY-BASED  AGENCY   PROVIDING
   18  SERVICES TO THE FAMILY DETERMINES AFTER SUCH INITIAL ASSIGNMENT THAT THE
   19  REPORT  ACTUALLY  MEETS THE CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT
   20  OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY
   21  SERVICES AND THE OFFICE FOR THE  PREVENTION  OF  DOMESTIC  VIOLENCE  FOR
   22  PLACEMENT IN THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK, THE PARTICIPATING
   23  DISTRICT  MAY  MOVE  THE  REPORT  TO  THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES
   24  TRACK. IF THE REPORT IS MOVED TO  THE  FAMILY  ASSESSMENT  AND  SERVICES
   25  TRACK,  THE  PARTICIPATING  DISTRICT  SHALL NOTIFY THE STATEWIDE CENTRAL
   26  REGISTER OF CHILD ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT THAT IS  NOW  CONSIDERING  SUCH
   27  REPORT  AS  PART OF THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK AND REQUEST
   28  THAT THE RECORDS AT THE STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTER OF  CHILD  ABUSE  AND
   29  MALTREATMENT  OF  SUCH  REPORT BE CLASSIFIED AS AN ASSESSMENT TRACK CASE
   30  AND BE LEGALLY SEALED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS  OF  SUBDIVISION
   31  FIVE OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THIS TITLE.                  
   32    (I)  WHERE  A  REPORT  HAS  BEEN INCLUDED IN THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND
   33  SERVICES TRACK AND A SUBSEQUENT REPORT INVOLVING THE FAMILY IS  MADE  TO
   34  THE STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTER OF CHILD ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT, AND SUCH
   35  SUBSEQUENT REPORT IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR INCLUSION IN THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT
   36  AND  SERVICES  TRACK, THE LOCAL CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, IN CONDUCTING
   37  ITS INVESTIGATION, SHALL WORK COOPERATIVELY WITH ANY DISTRICT OR  COMMU-
   38  NITY-BASED  AGENCY  STAFF  THAT  ARE  ALREADY WORKING WITH THE FAMILY TO
   39  MINIMIZE TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE THE  CHANCE  THAT  EXISTING  SERVICES
   40  BEING  PROVIDED  TO  THE FAMILY WILL BE DISRUPTED AND TO MAXIMIZE TO THE
   41  EXTENT PRACTICABLE THE  COORDINATION  OF  THE  EXISTING  SERVICES  BEING
   42  PROVIDED TO THE FAMILY WITH ANY NEW SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED TO THE FAMI-
   43  LY.                                                                     
   44    5.  (A)  CASES  INCLUDED  IN  THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK
   45  SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION FOUR HUNDRED  NINE-E
   46  OR FOUR HUNDRED NINE-F OF THIS ARTICLE.                                 
   47    (B)  ALL RECORDS CREATED AS PART OF THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES
   48  TRACK SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, DOCUMENTATION OF THE INITIAL
   49  SAFETY CHECK, THE EXAMINATION OF THE FAMILY`S  STRENGTHS,  CONCERNS  AND
   50  NEEDS,  ALL  SERVICES  OFFERED  AND ACCEPTED BY THE FAMILY, THE PLAN FOR
   51  SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR THE FAMILY, AND ALL EVALUATIONS AND  ASSESSMENTS
   52  OF THE FAMILY`S PROGRESS.                                               
   53    (C)  RECORDS  CREATED  UNDER  THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT SHALL BE MAIN-
   54  TAINED FOR TEN YEARS AFTER THE REPORT INITIATING THE CASE AT THE  STATE-
   55  WIDE CENTRAL REGISTER WAS MADE.                                         
                                                                               
       A. 313--A                           6                                   
                                                                               
    1    (D)  ALL RECORDS CREATED AS PART OF THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES
    2  TRACK SHALL BE CONFIDENTIAL AND SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLY TO STAFF OF
    3  THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES AND PERSONS DESIGNATED BY THE
    4  OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES;  THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT
    5  RESPONSIBLE  FOR  THE CASE; COMMUNITY-BASED AGENCIES THAT HAVE CONTRACTS
    6  WITH THE SOCIAL SERVICES  DISTRICT  TO  CARRY  OUT  ACTIVITIES  FOR  THE
    7  DISTRICT  UNDER  THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND SERVICES TRACK; AND PROVIDERS
    8  OF SERVICES UNDER THE FAMILY ASSESSMENT  AND  SERVICES  TRACK;  AND  ANY
    9  SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT INVESTIGATING A SUBSEQUENT REPORT OF ABUSE OR
   10  MALTREATMENT INVOLVING THE SAME SUBJECT OR THE SAME  CHILD  OR  CHILDREN
   11  NAMED IN THE REPORT INITIATING THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT CASE.          
   12    6.  EXPENDITURES BY A SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT UNDER THE DEMONSTRATION
   13  PROJECT SHALL BE REIMBURSABLE FROM THE ANNUAL  APPROPRIATIONS  AVAILABLE
   14  FOR  SOCIAL  SERVICES  DISTRICT  EXPENDITURES FOR CHILD WELFARE SERVICES
   15  WHICH SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO, PREVENTIVE SERVICES PROVIDED
   16  PURSUANT TO SECTION FOUR HUNDRED NINE-A OF THIS ARTICLE,  CHILD  PROTEC-
   17  TIVE  SERVICES,  INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES AND ANY OTHER APPROPRIATION
   18  MADE SPECIFICALLY TO SUPPORT THESE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS. NOTHING SHALL
   19  PRECLUDE A SOCIAL SERVICES  DISTRICT  FROM  SEEKING  PRIVATE  FUNDS  FOR
   20  SUPPORT OF THEIR DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.                                 
   21    7.  THE  OFFICE  OF  CHILDREN  AND FAMILY SERVICES SHALL POST THE PLAN
   22  CONTAINED IN ANY APPLICATION APPROVED FOR PARTICIPATION  IN  THE  DEMON-
   23  STRATION  PROJECT  ON THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES WEBSITE
   24  WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF SUCH APPROVAL.                                     
   25    8. THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES SHALL COMPLETE A  REPORT
   26  EVALUATING  THE  IMPLEMENTATION,  IMPACT  AND  COST EFFECTIVENESS OF THE
   27  DEMONSTRATION PROJECT. THE REPORT SHALL ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF  THE
   28  DEMONSTRATION  PROJECT  IN  PROMOTING  BROADER  COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN
   29  MEETING SERVICE NEEDS, EXPANDING AND EXPEDITING  ACCESS  TO  APPROPRIATE
   30  SERVICES,  IMPROVING  THE  COOPERATION  OF FAMILIES, REDUCING SUBSEQUENT
   31  ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT REPORTS, AND PROMOTING CHILD SAFETY.  SUCH REPORT
   32  SHALL ALSO RECOMMEND WHETHER OR NOT TO CONTINUE THE PROVISIONS  OF  THIS
   33  SECTION  FOR  THE DEMONSTRATION SITES AND OTHER SITES IN NEW YORK STATE,
   34  AND SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE NO LATER THAN
   35  THE FIRST DAY OF JANUARY, TWO THOUSAND NINE.                            
   36    S 3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire  June  1,
   37  2009  when  upon  such  date  the provisions of this act shall be deemed
   38  repealed.                                                               
.SO DOC A 313A          *END*                    BTXT                 2005     
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