HOUSE BILL NO. 5977

March 24, 2022, Introduced by Reps. Green, Whiteford, Wakeman, Brann, Kahle, Brenda Carter, Young, Pohutsky, Tyrone Carter, O'Malley and Anthony and referred to the Committee on Families, Children, and Seniors.

A bill to amend 1973 PA 116, entitled

"An act to provide for the protection of children through the licensing and regulation of child care organizations; to provide for the establishment of standards of care for child care organizations; to prescribe powers and duties of certain departments of this state and adoption facilitators; to provide penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,"

(MCL 722.111 to 722.128) by adding section 6a.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 6a. (1) Beginning January 1, 2023, and every January 1 after that, the department must conduct a comprehensive needs assessment regarding utilizing residential treatment and the needs of youth who are referred to this type of treatment. The assessment must identify the types of beds currently being utilized and the types of beds needed, the age group, gender, and geographic region of youth receiving these treatment services and those in need of the treatment services.

(2) As the department identifies needs of foster youth through the assessment required in subsection (1), the department must work with community partners to assist providers in meeting the identified needs of the foster youth.