(New Title) establishing a developmental services oversight commission; relative to reporting requirements regarding the death of a child in residential care; and relative to the registry of founded reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Sponsored By: David Rochefort (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Abuse registry and hiring rules for caregivers
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) keeps a confidential registry of founded abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults and must not list findings caused by factors beyond the person’s control. DHHS must notify the person within 5 business days of a founded finding; you have 10 business days to appeal and 30 days to ask probate court to review. Entries stay for 7 years unless overturned; you may ask for removal after 1 year, and if denied, try again every 3 years. Programs that are licensed, certified, or funded by DHHS must check the registry for new hires and yearly for staff, and they cannot hire listed people without a DHHS waiver. Individuals hiring personal care workers may request a check with consent and may still hire someone on the registry. All other employers cannot require registry checks as a job condition.
Stronger reviews after deaths in care
The attorney general runs a Fatality Review Committee to study deaths of incapacitated or vulnerable adults. Agencies must report deaths to the attorney general within 60 days when there is probable cause they were preventable or show patterns. Reviews are confidential, wait until criminal cases end, and lead to a public report every two years. Residential child providers must report a child’s death within 7 days to the attorney general, the state protection-and-advocacy agency, and DHHS child care licensing, with key details. DHHS reminds facilities each year about these duties.
New oversight for developmental services
The law creates a Developmental Services Oversight Commission to watch health and safety in 1915(c) developmental waiver services. It reviews training, licensing, and performance data and issues an annual report starting November 1, 2026. Meetings are open to the public, and the commission includes legislators, families, providers, advocates, and DHHS staff. DHHS supports the work and adds a staff position. The state provides $52,000 through June 30, 2027 and may use matching federal funds.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
David Rochefort
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Bill M. Gannon
Republican • Senate
Cindy Rosenwald
Democratic • Senate
Howard Pearl
r • Senate
Rebecca Perkins Kwoka
Democratic • Senate
Regina Birdsell
Republican • Senate
Ruth Ward
Republican • Senate
Sharon M. Carson
Republican • Senate
Tim McGough
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
III. Remainder Effective 08/31/2026
7/9/2026SenateII. Section 2 Effective 07/01/2026
7/9/2026SenateI. Section 1 Effective 07/02/2026
7/9/2026SenateSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 278
7/9/2026SenateEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 52
6/23/2026HouseEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
6/23/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2148e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
6/10/2026SenateEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2148e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15 P. 43
6/10/2026HouseSen. Rochefort Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
5/14/2026SenateOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1516h: MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 37
5/7/2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1516h: AA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 37
5/7/2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
4/22/2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1516h 04/15/2026 (Vote 13-5; RC) HC 18 P. 15
4/22/2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/15/2026 10:00 am GP 158
4/7/2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/25/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
3/18/2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 8 P. 115
3/16/2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1046s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
3/6/2026SenateCommittee Amendment # 2026-1046s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
3/6/2026SenateCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1046s, 03/12/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 9
3/4/2026SenateHearing: 02/18/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:30 am; SC 6
2/11/2026SenateIntroduced 02/05/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 4
2/5/2026Senate
Bill Text
As Amended
6/10/2026
Enrolled
6/10/2026
Introduced
2/5/2026
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION
Version adopted by both bodies
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