SB 1751

Abstract

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that by January 1, 2016, the Department of Children and Family Services shall convene a multi-disciplinary workgroup to review treatment programs for youth in the Department's care who are victims of sex trafficking and to make recommendations regarding a continuum of care for these vulnerable youth. Requires the workgroup to: (1) review existing models of treatment programs available in the State and outside the State for youth in the Department's care who are victims of sex trafficking and consider whether the programs have been subject to evaluation; (2) evaluate the need for new programs in the State; (3) review existing State laws and rules that permit children to be placed in secured therapeutic residential care; and (4) make recommendations regarding a continuum of care for children in the Department's care who are victims of sex trafficking. Contains provisions concerning the composition of the workgroup and the workgroup's access to certain records and information held by the Department. Requires the workgroup to submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1, 2017. Requires the Department to implement the workgroup's recommendations, as feasible and appropriate, by March 1, 2017 and to submit a report to the General Assembly explaining its decision to implement or to not implement each of the workgroup's recommendations.