Bill Text: CT SB00293 | 2012 | General Assembly | Chaptered
Bill Title: An Act Concerning Permanency And Transition Plans.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2012-05-31 - Signed by the Governor [SB00293 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2012-SB00293-Chaptered.html
Substitute Senate Bill No. 293
AN ACT CONCERNING PERMANENCY AND TRANSITION PLANS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2012) (a) The permanency plan of a child in the care and custody of the Commissioner of Children and Families shall include documentation whether the child is eligible for benefits from the Social Security Administration, including, but not limited to, supplemental security income, survivor and disabled adult child benefits.
(b) The department shall complete and submit an application for supplemental security income benefits for any eligible child in its care and custody. The department shall maintain and respond to correspondence regarding the application and any benefits.
(c) For any child who has reached the age of seventeen and is receiving Social Security benefits, the department shall: (1) Determine whether the child will require a representative payee to assist in managing the child's Social Security benefits, (2) if the child requires a representative payee, identify an appropriate representative payee who shall comply with the representative payee responsibilities set forth in 20 CFR 404. 2035, as amended from time to time, and (3) if the child does not require a representative payee, provide the following assistance to the child which may include, but is not limited to, educating the child about (A) maintaining their eligibility with the Social Security Administration, and (B) maintaining a bank account for purposes of electronic direct deposit of Social Security payments.
Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2012) Any permanency plan documents submitted by the Department of Children and Families pursuant to section 46b-129 of the general statutes and any hearing held to address a child's or youth's permanency plan shall include: (1) For a child five years of age and under, the steps the department has taken to make any necessary referrals of the child for early intervention, preschool or special education services, which are being provided or are scheduled to be provided in accordance with applicable law, (2) for a child sixteen years of age or older, the steps the department has taken to enable the child to learn independent living skills and complete a secondary educational or vocational program, and (3) for a child sixteen years of age or older but under eighteen years of age, (A) the steps the department has taken to develop a transition plan that is personalized for the child, which includes, but is not limited to, specific options for housing, health insurance, and education, local opportunities for mentors and continuing support opportunities, work force support and employment services, (B) a review of the benefits the child is currently receiving including, but not limited to, social security, and (C) the steps the department will take to ensure the child is screened for eligible benefits.