SB 592 (2018)

Creates a new account, funded by a surplus from the Children's Health Insurance Program, to fund more child protective service workers. In particular, this bill funds twenty-five new child protection social workers, two new supervisors, two new executive secretaries, two licensed alcohol and drug counselors, and two attorneys. The bill also authorizes $500,000 for foster care and adoption programs, $250,000 for home visiting services, $250,000 for child care services, and $1.5 million for voluntary services offered to families in "unfounded but with reasonable concern" cases of possible child abuse or neglect. The bill requires the state to pay for those voluntary services. This bill also authorizes $500,000 for the Department of Health and Human Services to develop community-based parental assistance programs. Much of this funding will come from federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. Lastly, this bill establishes a committee to study family drug courts.