CHILD WELFARE PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL S.B. 973:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 973 (as introduced 6-10-14)
Sponsor: Senator Bruce Caswell
Committee: Families, Seniors and Human Services
CONTENT
The bill would create the "Child Welfare Partnership Council Act" to do the following:
-- Require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish and operate a 24-member Child Welfare Partnership Council.
-- Establish the terms and duties of the Council members.
-- Require the Council to provide an annual report to the Legislature on and after December 1, 2015.
The Child Welfare Partnership Council would consist of 24 members, as follows, appointed by the Governor:
-- Six members representing the DHS, including the Director or his or her designee.
-- The Director of the Department of Community Health, or his or her designee.
-- The Director of the Department of Education, or his or her designee.
-- The chairperson of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee dealing with human service matters, or his or her designee.
-- The chairperson of the House of Representatives Appropriations subcommittee dealing with human service matters, or his or her designee.
-- Six members representing private child welfare agencies.
-- One judge designated by the Michigan Probate Judges Association.
-- One member representing the State Court Administrative Office.
-- Four county administrators as follows: a) two county commissioners or administrators designated by the Michigan Association of Counties, and b) one county commissioner or administrator each from the first and second pilot counties.
-- Two court administrators, including one designated by the Michigan Association for Family Court Administration.
The DHS Director, or his or her designee, and one member who represented a private child welfare agency would serve as co-chairs of the Council.
Council members would serve four-year terms, or until a successor was appointed, whichever was later, except that the members of the first appointed, six would serve for one year, six would serve for two years, six would serve for three years, and seven would serve for four years. If a vacancy occurred on the Council, the Governor would have to make an appointment for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. The Governor could reject any name submitted for appointment. If the Governor rejected a submitted name, a new name would have to be submitted in the same manner as described above.
The Council would have to guide the ongoing planning and procurement processes and continuous quality improvement throughout and after the full implementation of performance-based funding in the State-administered child welfare program. The Council also would have to consist of representative and relevant stakeholders who were involved in the operation and funding of the state's child welfare system.
By December 1, 2015, and annually after that, the Council and the DHS would have to provide to the Legislature a report that described the progress made toward implementation of child welfare performance-based funding, any issues that required statutory changes, and any resources needed for the performance of public and private child welfare agencies and the courts in accomplishing system goals and measurable outcomes.
Legislative Analyst: Jeff Mann
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Frances Carley
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.