CHILD WELFARE & SERVICES AGENCY

SB 486 creates the Child Safety and Welfare Services Authority to replace the current Children, Youth and Families Department, transferring its programs, assets, contracts, and legal references to this new independent agency. The bill establishes a seven-member governing board appointed by the governor (with Senate approval), requiring specific professional backgrounds like a judge, foster parent, or social worker, to oversee the authority. The board will appoint a state superintendent with a master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field and five years of management experience to lead operations. This reorganization aims to establish a coordinated system for administering the state's child welfare and juvenile justice programs across agencies.