Connecticut General Statutes
Chapter 319 - Department of Children and Families
Section 17a-47. (Formerly Sec. 17-445). - Legal division re child abuse and neglect.

There shall be a legal division which shall consist of attorneys-at-law assigned to the Department of Children and Families, who shall be on the staff and under the supervision of the Commissioner of Children and Families. There shall also be assistant attorneys general on the staff and under the direct supervision of the Attorney General. Such assistant attorneys general shall diligently prosecute petitions of neglect giving priority to petitions which allege child abuse as the grounds of neglect. Such assistant attorneys general and the department shall cooperate in preparation of such cases as shall be necessary to protect the safety and best interest of the child named in the petition.

(P.A. 77-577, S. 1; P.A. 93-91, S. 1, 2; 93-216, S. 5; P.A. 05-246, S. 8.)
History: Sec. 17-445 transferred to Sec. 17a-47 in 1991; P.A. 93-91 substituted commissioner and department of children and families for commissioner and department of children and youth services, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-216 removed the legal division from the department of children and youth services, removed the reference to three attorneys-at-law, placed the attorneys under the direct supervision of the attorney general and deleted provision which had stated that legal division not to be considered a replacement for, but an addition to, attorney general's staff responsible for prosecuting petitions for neglected, uncared for and dependent children; P.A. 05-246 provided that legal division to consist of attorneys assigned to Department of Children and Families and assistant attorneys general, made conforming changes and added reference to safety of child, effective July 8, 2005.
See Sec. 17a-106 re cooperative efforts to prevent, identify and treat child abuse and neglect.
See Sec. 53a-196a re felony offense of employing minor in obscene performance.
Commissioner or commissioner's designee has express authority to prepare, sign and file petitions for termination of parental rights. 247 C. 1.

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Structure Connecticut General Statutes

Connecticut General Statutes

Title 17a - Social and Human Services and Resources

Chapter 319 - Department of Children and Families

Section 17a-1. (Formerly Sec. 17-410). - Definitions.

Section 17a-2. (Formerly Sec. 17-411). - Composition of department. Name change.

Section 17a-3. (Formerly Sec. 17-412). - Powers and duties of department. Submission of reports required pursuant to federal law.

Section 17a-3a. - Connecticut Juvenile Training School. Department duties.

Section 17a-3b. - (Note: This section is effective October 1, 2022.) Department-operated education unit. Children residing in juvenile justice facilities who are incarcerated.

Section 17a-4. (Formerly Sec. 17-413). - State Advisory Council on Children and Families. Appointment. Powers and duties.

Section 17a-4a. - Children's Behavioral Health Advisory Committee. Membership. Reports.

Section 17a-5. (Formerly Sec. 17-414). - Appointment of commissioner.

Section 17a-6. (Formerly Sec. 17-415). - Powers and duties of commissioner.

Section 17a-6a. - Commissioner to require applicants, vendors and contractors to submit to state and national criminal history records checks and state child abuse and neglect registry checks. Commissioner to comply with requests to check child abuse...

Section 17a-6b and 17a-6c. - Connecticut Juvenile Training School advisory group; review; recommendations; report by commissioner. Adjudicated youths in care and custody of department; reports.

Section 17a-6d. - Development of procedures responsive to needs of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Report.

Section 17a-6e. - Annual report re utilization of Department of Children and Families' services by race and ethnicity.

Section 17a-6f. - Software application for computers and mobile devices.

Section 17a-6g. - Indian Child Welfare Act. Application to actions and proceedings involving an Indian child.

Section 17a-7 (Formerly Sec. 17-415a) and 17a-7a. - Parole of delinquent child in commissioner's custody. Standard leave and release policies for delinquent children committed to department.

Section 17a-8 (Formerly Sec. 17-415b) and 17a-8a. - Custody of children and youths committed to commissioner as delinquent; term, escape, violation of parole, return to custody; vocational parole. Authorized leave for delinquent child committed to de...

Section 17a-8b. - Department to report missing and abducted children committed to custody of commissioner.

Section 17a-9. (Formerly Sec. 17-417). - Appointment of deputy commissioners, directors and administrative heads.

Section 17a-10. (Formerly Sec. 17-418). - Custody of committed children. Support and health services. Extension or termination of commitment.

Section 17a-10a. - Visitation of child in care and custody of commissioner. Communication during public health or national emergency. Policy for temporary cessation of in-person visitation.

Section 17a-10b. - Commissioner to make reasonable effort to identify and notify relatives when child removed from custody of parent.

Section 17a-10c. - Youth Advisory Board. Sibling Bill of Rights. Meeting between caseworker and child.

Section 17a-10d. - Youth advisory councils.

Section 17a-10e. - Children in Care Bill of Rights and Expectations. Meeting between caseworker and child.

Section 17a-11. (Formerly Sec. 17-419). - Voluntary admission. Termination of admission. Transfer. Permanency plan. Review of plan by Probate Court. Appeals. Regulations. Plan for care and treatment of persons eighteen years of age or older.

Section 17a-12. (Formerly Sec. 17-420). - Transfer of child or youth to other program, agency, organization or facility.

Section 17a-13. (Formerly Sec. 17-420a). - Jurisdiction over person transferred to correctional facility.

Section 17a-14. (Formerly Sec. 17-420b). - Completion of special education programs permitted. Payment by Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Section 17a-15. (Formerly Sec. 17-421). - Development of treatment and permanent placement plan. Review of plan. Modifications. Application for review. Hearing. Procedure.

Section 17a-15a. - Inclusion of information in documents concerning permanent placement plan.

Section 17a-15b. - Department responsibilities re child eligible for benefits from Social Security Administration. Documentation of benefit eligibility in child's permanency plan.

Section 17a-15c. - Inclusion of educational, vocational and financial information in permanency plan documents and hearings.

Section 17a-15d. - Policy re Social Security disability insurance benefit payments.

Section 17a-16. (Formerly Sec. 17-440). - Rights of children and youths under the supervision of the Commissioner of Children and Families.

Section 17a-16a. - School placement for children in out-of-home care. Nexus school districts.

Section 17a-17. (Formerly Sec. 17-421a). - Direct payment for goods and services. Single cost accounting system for payment of room and board and education expenses. Payment system for child care facilities.

Section 17a-18. (Formerly Sec. 17-422). - Receipt of grants or gifts.

Section 17a-19. (Formerly Sec. 17-422a). - Administration of the parent-child resource system.

Section 17a-20. (Formerly Sec. 17-424). - Definition of psychiatric clinic and child guidance clinic. Grant of funds.

Section 17a-20a. - Mental and behavioral health consultation and care coordination program. Regulations.

Section 17a-20b. - In-home respite care services fund. Program for in-home respite care services. Regulations.

Section 17a-20c. - Peer-to-peer support program for mental and behavioral health issues. State funds for services not covered.

Section 17a-21. (Formerly Sec. 17-424a). - Statistical reporting on psychiatric care of children and youths.

Section 17a-21a. - Guidelines for use and management of psychotropic medications. Database established.

Section 17a-22. (Formerly Sec. 17-425). - Extended day treatment programs. Grants. Definition of day treatment center.

Section 17a-22a. - Connecticut Community KidCare. Requirements. Memorandum of understanding for joint administration. Consultation during development. Federal waivers or amendments.

Section 17a-22aa. - Availability of flexible emergency funding for children with psychiatric disabilities.

Section 17a-22b. - Local needs assessment by community collaborative. Lead service agencies to coordinate care of children and youths enrolled in Connecticut Community KidCare. Community collaborative composition and responsibilities.

Section 17a-22bb. - Implementation plan for meeting mental, emotional and behavioral needs of children. Departmental strategies. Training. Reimbursement. Records re instances of physical restraint and seclusion.

Section 17a-22c. - Performance measures for Connecticut Community KidCare. Curricula and training.

Section 17a-22cc. - Professional development training provided to pediatricians and child care providers.

Section 17a-22d. - Establishment of organization with regional local chapters to provide family-to-family support, family advocates and assistance with individual service plan process and to encourage participation in Connecticut Community KidCare pl...

Section 17a-22dd. - Coordination of home visitation programs. Public information and education campaign.

Section 17a-22e. - Reports re implementation of Connecticut Community KidCare to General Assembly.

Section 17a-22ee. - Animal-assisted therapy and activities. Animal-assisted critical incident response teams.

Section 17a-22f. - Behavioral health services. Contract with administrative services organizations. Clinical management.

Section 17a-22ff. - Children's Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Health Plan Implementation Advisory Board.

Section 17a-22g. - Connecticut Community KidCare. Disclosure of case-specific information. Limitations.

Section 17a-22gg. - Home Visitation Program Consortium.

Section 17a-22h. - Behavioral Health Partnership. Development and implementation.

Section 17a-22hh. - Data repository for emergency mobile psychiatric services personnel.

Section 17a-22i. - Designation of directors for Behavioral Health Partnership. Memoranda of understanding re activities of administrative services organizations.

Section 17a-22ii. - Mental and Behavioral Health Treatment Fund.

Section 17a-22j. - Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council. Members. Duties.

Section 17a-22jj. - Social Determinants of Mental Health Fund.

Section 17a-22k. - Behavioral Health Partnership clinical management committee. Established. Members.

Section 17a-22l. - Consumer and provider appeal procedures.

Section 17a-22m. - Annual evaluation of Behavioral Health Partnership. Report to General Assembly.

Section 17a-22n. - Monitoring implementation of the Behavioral Health Partnership. Annual report to General Assembly.

Section 17a-22o. - Behavioral Health Partnership rate setting. Review by Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council.

Section 17a-22p. - Use of administrative services organizations for Behavioral Health Partnership. Services to be provided. Coordination of benefits.

Section 17a-22q. - Certification of providers of behavioral health Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment Services and rehabilitation services for HUSKY A.

Section 17a-22r. - Documents re behavioral and mental health evaluation and treatment resources for children. Posting, distribution and provision of documents.

Section 17a-23. (Formerly Sec. 17-427). - High Meadows. Function; age limits.

Section 17a-24. (Formerly Sec. 17-428). - Regulation of motor vehicles and roadways by superintendents of institutions.

Section 17a-25. (Formerly Sec. 17-429). - Superintendents and directors of facilities. Qualifications, responsibilities and duties.

Section 17a-26. (Formerly Sec. 17-430). - Use of federal funds available for services to children.

Section 17a-27. (Formerly Sec. 17-372). - Investment and use of the Connecticut Juvenile Training School donation fund.

Section 17a-27a. - Long Lane School Advisory Board established. Composition. Report.

Section 17a-27b. - Connecticut Juvenile Training School project: Exemption from statutory provisions.

Section 17a-27c. - Connecticut Juvenile Training School project: Transfer of property; entry upon private property; payment of damages.

Section 17a-27d. - Connecticut Juvenile Training School project: Architectural services and design contract.

Section 17a-27e. - Connecticut Juvenile Training School. Standards.

Section 17a-27f. - Connecticut Juvenile Training School. Public safety committee. Security and alert system.

Section 17a-28. (Formerly Sec. 17-431). - Definitions. Confidentiality and access to records; exceptions. Procedure for aggrieved persons.

Section 17a-29. (Formerly Sec. 17-433). - Committal or transfer of persons under age of eighteen prohibited; exception.

Section 17a-30. (Formerly Sec. 17-434). - Regional advisory councils. Appointments and terms.

Section 17a-31. (Formerly Sec. 17-435). - Transfer of administration and control of certain institutions, facilities and personal property to Commissioner of Children and Families. Transfer of certain funds.

Section 17a-32. (Formerly Sec. 17-435a). - Names of children's facilities designated.

Section 17a-32a. - Children's facilities' annual report to State Advisory Council on Children and Families and advisory groups.

Section 17a-33. (Formerly Sec. 17-435c). - Undercliff Mental Health Center buildings and facilities under the control of the Department of Developmental Services.

Section 17a-34 and 17a-35. (Formerly Secs. 17-435e and 17-435f). - Transfer of Bryan Building at Norwich Hospital to Department of Public Works. Transfer of Ray Building at Norwich Hospital to Department of Mental Health.

Section 17a-36. (Formerly Sec. 17-439). - Financial liability for services.

Section 17a-37. (Formerly Sec. 17-441). - Establishment of school district in the Department of Children and Families. Unified School District #2.

Section 17a-38. (Formerly Sec. 17-441a). - Home-based treatment programs.

Section 17a-42. (Formerly Sec. 17-444). - Photo-listing service established.

Section 17a-43. (Formerly Sec. 17-444a). - Registration with photo-listing service.

Section 17a-44. (Formerly Sec. 17-444b). - Status of photo-listed children. Referral to national adoption or permanency resource exchanges.

Section 17a-45. (Formerly Sec. 17-444c). - Referral to photo-listing service.

Section 17a-46. (Formerly Sec. 17-444d). - Deferral of photo-listing a child.

Section 17a-47. (Formerly Sec. 17-445). - Legal division re child abuse and neglect.

Section 17a-48. (Formerly Sec. 17-445a). - Commissioner to take custody of child who is victim of employment in obscene performance.

Section 17a-49. (Formerly Sec. 17-446). - Grants for programs to treat and prevent child abuse and neglect and programs for juvenile criminal diversion.

Section 17a-51. (Formerly Sec. 17-447). - Plan for the reduction of the number of children receiving foster care assistance.

Section 17a-52. - Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board. Composition. Duties.

Section 17a-52a. - Evidence-based youth suicide prevention training program.

Section 17a-53. - Training manual for youth suicide prevention programs.

Section 17a-54. - Parent education and support centers.

Section 17a-54a. - Support for families with children with serious, chronic medical conditions.

Section 17a-54b. - Policies and procedures to secure health, safety and well-being of infants affected at birth by drug or alcohol exposure.

Section 17a-55. - Awarding of grants to community service programs based upon effectiveness.

Section 17a-57. - Designation of emergency room nursing staff to take physical custody of infant voluntarily surrendered.

Section 17a-58. - Physical custody of infant upon voluntary surrender by parent or agent. Mother's surrender of custody of infant in hospital. Medical history. Identification bracelet.

Section 17a-59. - Notification of custody. Assumption of care and control by commissioner. Identification of prospective adoptive parent. Limitation on disclosure of parentage.

Section 17a-59a. - Definitions. Removal of infant from prospective adoptive parent.

Section 17a-59b. - Removal of infant. Prospective adoptive parent's right to hearing. Regulations.

Section 17a-60. - Reunification of parent with infant. Genetic testing requirement. Confidentiality of information provided designated employee.

Section 17a-60a. - Birth parent contact preference and health history forms. Access by adopted persons and certain other persons.

Section 17a-61. - Public information program.

Section 17a-61a. - Accreditation of Department of Children and Families by Council on Accreditation.

Section 17a-62. - Commissioner of Children and Families to monitor certain at-risk children and youth. Annual report to General Assembly.

Section 17a-62a. - Homeless youth program.

Section 17a-62b. - Services for homeless children and youth.

Section 17a-63. - Internal departmental and administrative case reviews. Results. Department-wide deficiencies. Annual report to General Assembly.

Section 17a-63a. - Private service provider. Contract with Department of Children and Families. Measurable outcomes. Annual report to General Assembly.

Section 17a-64. - Raise the Grade pilot program.

Section 17a-65. - Academic progress reports. Case plan requirements. Plan re ability of facilities and school programs to meet academic and related service needs. Review of educational files.

Section 17a-75. (Formerly Sec. 17-205b). - Definitions.

Section 17a-76. (Formerly Sec. 17a-205c). - Application for commitment of mentally ill child. Jurisdiction. Transfer to Superior Court. Appointment of counsel. Three-judge court, powers.

Section 17a-77. (Formerly Sec. 17-205d). - Hearing. Notice to child, parents, guardian. Availability of records. Physicians, appointment; certificate; report. Right of child to be at hearing. Order for commitment. Transfer to other institutions. Reco...

Section 17a-78. (Formerly Sec. 17-205e). - Hospitalization of child for diagnosis or treatment of mental disorder. Examination. Discharge. Rights to be explained. Hearing. Duties of hospital. Order for continued hospitalization. Immediate discharge....

Section 17a-79. (Formerly Sec. 17-205f). - Hospitalization of child for diagnosis or treatment of mental disorder.

Section 17a-80. (Formerly Sec. 17-205g). - Right of review of status as voluntary patient. Hearing. Child's right to be at hearing. Duties of hospital.

Section 17a-81. (Formerly Sec. 17-205h). - Parental consent necessary for treatment. Exceptions.

Section 17a-82. (Formerly Sec. 17-205i). - Payment of commitment and transportation expenses.

Section 17a-83. (Formerly Sec. 17-205j). - Fraudulent or malicious application, order, request, certification or report re commitment or mental disorder of child.