SB 238
CHILD
WELFARE (Niehaus, T. – R)
|
|
Introduced
to Senate: December 8, 2005
Assigned to Senate Health, Human Services and Aging Committee (Coughlin)
Reported out of Committee: March 2, 2006
Passed Senate: March 8, 2006
Assigned to House Health (White)
Reported out of Committee as Amended: May 10, 2006
Passed House: May 10, 2006
This new law becomes effective September 19, 2006 as a
comprehensive piece of child welfare legislation increasing the safety
and permanency of Ohio’s children. It incorporates:
· many
adoption process reforms, including the requirement of a large family
assessment when five or more children reside in the home and increased
sharing of information provisions among all the entities involved in the
adoption process;
· SACWIS
is written into law, along with confidentiality protections;
· implementation
of the new Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children provisions
for improved coordination with other states;
· creation
of an alternative response pilot program in ten counties;
· increase
of caseworker core hours from 90 to 102 hours the first year and
requires all caseworkers and supervisors complete 12 hours of domestic
violence training within their first two years of employment;
· creation
of a task force to study domestic violence issues within public
assistance programs;
· creation
of a licensure category for crisis nurseries;
· and
many more provisions.
You
can access an outline and final language of the act through this webpage
with the links contained below…
PCSAO would
like to thank Sen. Tom Niehaus for all of his work as the sponsor (of
the Child Welfare Update and Adoption reform bills), Rep. Wagner as the
sponsor of the adoption bill in the House, as well as all of the House
and Senate staff and ODJFS for their work on these important pieces of
legislation to child welfare in Ohio. SB 238 strengthens the
infrastructure for the child welfare system in Ohio; and of top
importance it will help prevent further maltreatment, disruption and
trauma to Ohio’s children!
|
Link
to SB 238: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=126_SB_238 |
|
SB
238 PCSAO Senate
Testimony |
|
SB
238 Sponsor
Testimony |
| SB 238 Outline
– As Singed by
Governor |
| Bill Signing by
Hannah Report |
| Bill Signing by
Crystal's
Remarks |
| Bill Signing
Group Photo
Special guests at the bill signing included a number
of children from Union, Fairfield and Franklin counties – some in
adopted homes and some waiting to join adoptive homes. As Governor
Taft signed the legislation, the children looked on, were part of
the photos, and all received official pens from the Governor. Many
thanks to the caseworkers that facilitated the participation of
these children. Those speaking at the signing included Senator Tom
Niehaus and Rep. Jeff Wagner (co-sponsors); John Saros, Director of
Franklin County Children Services; Rick Smith, Deputy Director of
the Office for Children and Families, ODJFS; Yvette McGee Brown,
President of the Franklin County Child Advocacy Center; and Crystal
Ward Allen, PCSAO. |
|
