COMPREHENSIVE ADDICTION AND RECOVERY PGM

Transfers child welfare program administration from the Children, Youth and Families Department to the Department of Health.

Requires hospitals and birthing centers to create written Plans of Safe Care for substance-exposed newborns before discharge, including referrals to support services.

Mandates that care coordinators be available at all birthing hospitals to implement and monitor Plans of Safe Care.

Requires the Department of Health to collect and report data on substance-exposed infants, including substances used, services provided, and whether families were subsequently reported for abuse.

Adds new definitions for 'active efforts', 'plan of safe care', and 'Indian child' to clarify legal standards.

Clarifies that notification of a Plan of Safe Care does not constitute a child abuse report, preventing automatic investigations based solely on prenatal substance exposure.

Sets July 1, 2026 as the deadline for the Department of Health to develop rules for Plan of Safe Care implementation.

Transfers administration of child welfare programs from the Children, Youth and Families Department to the Department of Health, requiring new interdepartmental coordination and data sharing.

Creates a new 'Plan of Safe Care' process for substance-exposed newborns that requires hospitals and birth facilities to develop written safety plans before discharge, with specific data reporting requirements.

Establishes a Families First strategic plan requiring the department to provide prevention services to families at risk of foster care placement, with statewide implementation by June 30, 2032.

Mandates fingerprinting and criminal background checks for all department employees and volunteers who have direct contact with clients.

Clarifies that notifications about substance-exposed newborns do not automatically trigger child abuse investigations, though investigations may proceed if safety concerns are identified.

Sets a July 1, 2027 deadline for statewide implementation of the multilevel response system, with pilot programs allowed before that date.

Updates definitions throughout the Children's Code to clarify terms related to Indian child welfare, substance-exposed newborns, and foster care prevention services.

Requires the department to create a public dashboard with quarterly updates on child welfare statistics including fatalities, investigations, and foster care placements.