Post by Logan on Apr 16, 2016 6:22:40 GMT -6
R.I. Senate OKs bill requiring quick disclosure of foster children's deaths
PROVIDENCE — Weeks after a report by the Child Advocate's Office raised questions about reporting standards in child deaths cases, the Senate has unanimously passed legislation mandating that the death of any child in state care be publicly disclosed within 48 hours.
Lawmakers said they hoped the swift action would send a message that they do not intend to sit idle while concern swells around the state's child welfare agency amid reports of children who have died.
The bill approved Thursday would apply the same 48-hour disclosure standard any time a child ends up in serious or critical condition as a result of abuse, neglect, self-harm or other unnatural causes. The state Department of Children Youth and Families would be required to disclose the death or near death "in general terms" to the public provided doing so will not jeopardize a criminal investigation. The agency would also have to notify the state's child advocate and provide access to any written material about the case, with more disclosures required if the agency determines abuse or neglect.
Sen. Cynthia Coyne, D-Barrington, who sponsored the legislation, said in a statement that the bill was drafted out of concern about "the haphazard approach that has been taken to public disclosure and external investigation" of children who have died in state care.
Read more: www.providencejournal.com/news/20160414/ri-senate-oks-bill-requiring-quick-disclosure-of-foster-childrens-deaths
PROVIDENCE — Weeks after a report by the Child Advocate's Office raised questions about reporting standards in child deaths cases, the Senate has unanimously passed legislation mandating that the death of any child in state care be publicly disclosed within 48 hours.
Lawmakers said they hoped the swift action would send a message that they do not intend to sit idle while concern swells around the state's child welfare agency amid reports of children who have died.
The bill approved Thursday would apply the same 48-hour disclosure standard any time a child ends up in serious or critical condition as a result of abuse, neglect, self-harm or other unnatural causes. The state Department of Children Youth and Families would be required to disclose the death or near death "in general terms" to the public provided doing so will not jeopardize a criminal investigation. The agency would also have to notify the state's child advocate and provide access to any written material about the case, with more disclosures required if the agency determines abuse or neglect.
Sen. Cynthia Coyne, D-Barrington, who sponsored the legislation, said in a statement that the bill was drafted out of concern about "the haphazard approach that has been taken to public disclosure and external investigation" of children who have died in state care.
Read more: www.providencejournal.com/news/20160414/ri-senate-oks-bill-requiring-quick-disclosure-of-foster-childrens-deaths