Relating to requiring the Department of Human Services to establish a pilot program to contract for supplemental caseworker aide services for the Bureau for Social Services

The program changed from a temporary pilot for administrative aides to a permanent, phased community-based child welfare system.

Implementation dates were pushed back significantly, with the program starting in two counties in January 2028 and expanding statewide by July 2029.

The payment model shifted from a fixed contract to a risk-based case-rate structure where providers assume financial risk for costs exceeding agreed rates.

Contractors must now assume responsibility for ongoing case management and court-related functions, whereas the original bill only required them to provide administrative support.

The new text explicitly names the program 'Kyneddi's Law' and establishes specific criteria for provider qualifications and liability protections.

The original bill allowed the department to choose districts based on caseloads or vacancy rates; the new bill mandates a specific rollout order starting with Berkeley and Jefferson counties.

Updated the document header to show 'Engrossed Version' instead of 'Introduced Version' and adjusted the session status line accordingly.

Removed the explanatory note describing the bill's purpose and the recommendation by the Joint Committee on Children and Families, which are informational rather than legal text.