Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 16, 2024 04:24 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Judy Ward |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Assisting County CYS Agencies |
| In Pennsylvania, some county Children and Youth Services agencies are faced with a continuing high level of case loads and difficulty in attracting qualified employees. This has resulted in a backlog of cases. I am therefore introducing legislation that authorizes the Department of Human Services to assist a county Children and Youth Services agency when it is faced with this scenario. My legislation will amend Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to allow a county agency to request assistance from the Department of Human Services if there is a backlog of investigations. The department may also determine during an investigation or performance audit of a county agency authorized by the current statute that this assistance is needed. Under the bill, the department and county agency shall work together to designate the cases that are to be investigated by the department. All department employees who assist in these investigations shall possess the same qualifications and credentials that county agency personnel must possess in order to handle investigations. The department personnel shall have the same authority to interview witnesses and the child, and all regulations covering the confidentiality of investigations and the final determination shall apply to these investigations. Please join me in sponsoring this legislation, which can help county Children and Youth Services agencies throughout the Commonwealth. If you have any questions, please contact Gregory Beckenbaugh at gbeckenbaugh@pasen.gov. |