Department of Children and Families license continuation process for certain accredited entities

Under the bill, a child welfare agency, group home, or shelter care facility that is accredited by a national accreditation body that has developed child welfare standards (accredited licensee) may request a license continuation from DCF as an alternative to the normal continuation application process. If the accredited licensee chooses this option, it must submit a request to DCF for license continuation at least 30 days prior to the continuation date of its license. The bill provides that DCF must continue such a license for two years if 1) the licensee submits along with this request proof that it is accredited by a national accreditation body that has developed child welfare standards and proof that it is in compliance with background check requirements; 2) the fees required for the application, fingerprinting, and background checks are paid; and 3) any forfeiture or penalty imposed for a license violation is paid.

Under the bill, this alternative process for license continuation is not available to an accredited licensee that is subject to the sanction of complying with a plan of correction or closing intake of any new children or subject to a penalty of license suspension for not more than two weeks.

Current law allows DCF to inspect the records and visit the premises of licensees. This bill requires DCF to suspend normal monitoring actions for an accredited licensee for a period set by the licensee but not to exceed 18 months if the licensee notifies DCF that it is entering a reaccreditation process, except to verify correction of a violation or investigate a serious incident. Also under the bill, DCF may not cite an accredited licensee for noncompliance with a license standard if the licensee is in compliance with an accreditation standard that exceeds the license standard or addresses the same issue in an alternative way.