All Roll Calls
Yes: 0 • No: 0
ConnecticutHB 050042026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING CHILD WELFARE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.
Sponsored By: Committee on Children
Signed by Governor
Summary
To implement various policies concerning the provision and oversight of child welfare services in the state.
children
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More help for kin caregivers
Starting July 1, 2026, eligible caregivers may get grants for a child’s basic needs, child care, or after-school programs. The basic-needs grant is capped at $625 per caregiver. By January 1, 2027, the commissioner must set grant rules, spending guidelines, and a maximum for child care and after-school grants. No more than half of annual funds can go to either type of cost. Recipients must report spending and repay money used outside the rules.
College grants for former foster youth
Starting July 1, 2026, DCF must establish a college grant program by January 1, 2027. It serves people adopted through DCF foster care on or after January 1, 2005, and before age 18, and certain youth who stay in DCF care after turning 18. Participation generally ends at age 21. DCF may allow a student enrolled before age 21 to continue until age 24 or program completion, whichever comes first. Students must complete the FAFSA and apply for appropriate scholarships and grants each year. The law does not set grant amounts.
More kin placements for children
Starting October 1, 2026, DCF must first consider relatives or familiar caregivers for temporary placements, then the child’s town if kin placement is denied. A child may stay with an unapproved relative or familiar caregiver during an emergency after a satisfactory home visit and basic assessment, if it is in the child’s best interests. DCF must explain placement denials and removals in writing, and assess a proposed familiar caregiver before the preliminary hearing when asked. Applicants denied an initial foster-care or adoption license can appeal within 30 days; the commissioner must decide within 60 days.
New urgent crisis center in Stamford
Starting July 1, 2026, DCF must establish an urgent crisis center in Stamford for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. The center adds a local place to access crisis services. The law does not state the center’s funding amount or an individual payment.
Training and stipends for social workers
Starting October 1, 2026, DCF must create a social work internship program by January 1, 2027. Relevant bachelor’s or master’s students can take part in an internship lasting at least one academic semester. DCF must also create a mentorship program for newly hired social workers by January 1, 2027. Interns and mentors who successfully complete their programs must receive a stipend; DCF may also pay a stipend to a newly hired social worker who completes mentorship. The law does not set stipend amounts.
More checks in child abuse cases
Starting October 1, 2026, DCF must investigate after a third accepted report in the specified pattern involving a child and other children in the same home during the previous 12 months. The investigator cannot have investigated an allegation about a covered child during that 12-month period. During specified investigations, DCF staff must also consider what the child or siblings say about possible abuse or neglect. The Department of Public Health may share parentage acknowledgment information with authorized DCF representatives for department purposes.
More training and safety for DCF staff
Starting October 1, 2026, DCF must develop training on perinatal mental health, human trafficking, cultural sensitivity, and implicit bias. The training must be offered at least every six months by January 1, 2028. Employees hired before that date must complete required initial training by December 31, 2028; later hires generally have one year to complete it. DCF must offer GPS-enabled emergency devices beginning January 1, 2027, to employees who regularly visit or evaluate homes and want a device.
Public dashboard for DCF services
Starting July 1, 2026, DCF must create a public website by January 1, 2027. Its dashboard must show real-time information about statewide services and performance in a way people can understand. The site must also explain DCF offices and services, how to report child abuse or neglect, and provide a training video that people can watch without a username or password.
Safety checks for minors at parole homes
Starting October 1, 2026, officials must tell DCF within one week if someone under 18 lives at the address of a person released on parole or probation after conviction under a listed law. If the minor receives DCF protective services, DCF must visit within one week and at least monthly. Otherwise, officials must check on the minor at least every three months. Checks continue until parole or probation ends or no minor lives at the address.
New rules for families under DCF review
Starting October 1, 2026, some parents or guardians must tell DCF at least 48 hours before taking a covered child out of state for more than 14 days. They must give the child’s sleeping addresses and trip length, and report extensions as soon as possible. DCF must try safety checks when it learns of a missed notice or extension before the child returns; it may also apply the rules to shorter trips. DCF cannot use a parent or guardian’s voluntary mental health treatment as the only reason for an action or proceeding, but can still act when a child is harmed or at risk.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Committee on Children
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Amy Morrin Bello
Democratic • House
Anne Dauphinais
Republican • House
Anne M. Hughes
Democratic • House
Anthony L. Nolan
Democratic • House
Antonio Felipe
Democratic • House
Bob Godfrey
Democratic • House
Christopher Poulos
Democratic • House
Craig C. Fishbein
Republican • House
Daniel Gaiewski
Democratic • House
Derell Wilson
Democratic • House
Eleni Kavros DeGraw
Democratic • House
Emmanuel Sanchez
Democratic • House
Eric C. Berthel
Republican • Senate
Gale L. Mastrofrancesco
Republican • House
Gary A. Turco
Democratic • House
Geraldo C. Reyes
Democratic • House
Heather S. Somers
Republican • Senate
Hector Arzeno
Democratic • House
Hilda E. Santiago
Democratic • House
Hubert D. Delany
Democratic • House
Iris N Sanchez
Democratic • House
Jaime S. Foster
Democratic • House
James Sanchez
Democratic • House
Jane M. Garibay
Democratic • House
Jason Buchsbaum
Republican • House
Jillian Gilchrest
Democratic • House
John A. Kissel
Republican • Senate
John Santanella
Democratic • House
John-Michael Parker
Democratic • House
Jonathan Fazzino
Democratic • House
Jonathan Jacobson
Democratic • House
Josh Elliott
Democratic • House
Joshua M. Hall
Democratic • House
Kate Farrar
Democratic • House
Kenneth Gucker
Democratic • House
Larry B. Butler
Democratic • House
Laurie Sweet
Democratic • House
Lucy Dathan
Democratic • House
Mark W. Anderson
Republican • House
Martin Foncello
Republican • House
Mary Welander
Democratic • House
Mitch Bolinsky
Republican • House
Moira Rader
Democratic • House
Nicholas Menapace
Democratic • House
Nick Gauthier
Democratic • House
Patricia Billie Miller
Democratic • Senate
Paul Cicarella
Republican • Senate
Robin E. Comey
Democratic • House
Sarah Keitt
Democratic • House
Stephen G. Harding
Republican • Senate
Tammy R. Exum
Democratic • House
Tom Delnicki
Republican • House
Toni E. Walker
Democratic • House
Tony Hwang
Republican • Senate
Tony J. Scott
Republican • House
Trenee McGee
Democratic • House
William Heffernan
Democratic • House
William Pizzuto
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/13/2026
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House Roll Call Vote 154 AS AMENDED
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
KID Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 246
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2026
Senate Roll Call Vote 245
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Bill Text
Public Act No. 26-26
5/14/2026
File No. 754
5/1/2026
File No. 103
3/23/2026
APP Joint Favorable
3/5/2026
KID Joint Favorable Substitute
3/5/2026
Raised Bill
2/26/2026
APP Joint Fav. Rpt
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Bill Analysis For File Copy 103
Bill Analysis For File Copy 754
Bill Analysis for HB-5004, as amended by House "A" and "C"
Fiscal Note For File Copy 103
Fiscal Note For File Copy 754
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5360 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5382 (Potential Cost)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5424 (Potential Cost)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 5879 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for HB-5004, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 5360), House "C" (LCO 5424)
House Roll Call Vote 154 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 5360 (D)
House Schedule B LCO# 5382 (J)
House Schedule C LCO# 5424 (J)
KID Joint Fav. Rpt
KID Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Senate Roll Call Vote 245
Senate Roll Call Vote 246
Senate Schedule A LCO# 5879 (R)
Summary for Public Act No. 26-26
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