CYFD NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Created a new Secretary of Children, Youth and Families Nominating Committee with nine members to select qualified nominees for the department secretary position, requiring the secretary to be selected from this list.

Enacted the Families First Act requiring the department to develop and implement a strategic plan for foster care prevention services meeting federal Title IV-E requirements, with pilot implementation by June 30, 2027 and statewide rollout by June 30, 2032.

Transferred the Substitute Care Advisory Council from the Regulation and Licensing Department to the State Department of Justice, changing its administrative oversight and adding new staffing and case review requirements.

Updated Plan of Safe Care procedures to require the Health Care Authority (not the department) to develop rules and guidelines for hospitals and birthing centers regarding substance-exposed newborns, with specific requirements for care coordination and data reporting.

Added requirements for the department to conduct fingerprint and nationwide criminal history record searches on all employees, staff, and volunteers with direct contact with clients.

Changed the Multilevel Response System implementation timeline from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2027, allowing for pilot programs and phased statewide implementation.

Added numerous new definitions to the Children's Code including 'plan of safe care,' 'families first services,' 'families first strategic plan,' and expanded definitions related to Indian child welfare and substitute care.

Set specific implementation deadlines including August 1, 2025 for finalizing the Families First strategic plan, July 1, 2027 for statewide implementation of the multilevel response system, and July 1, 2026 for annual reporting on Plan of Safe Care.