NY State Senate Bill 2009-S4927

Senate Bill S4927

2009-2010 Legislative Session

Establishes the community services response program under the auspices of the office of children and family services

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Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Children And Families Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Apr 16, 2010	print number 4927a
Apr 16, 2010	amend and recommit to children and families
Jan 06, 2010	referred to children and families
Apr 27, 2009	referred to children and families

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2009-S4927 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Children And Families
Law Section:: Social Services Law
Laws Affected:: Add §413-a, Soc Serv L; add §3211-b, Ed L

2009-S4927 - Summary

Establishes the community services response program; requires the office of children and family services to establish community services response teams across the state; requires school districts to report educational concern and educational neglect to the applicable community services response team.

2009-S4927 - Sponsor Memo

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S4927

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to the creation
of community services response teams; and to amend the education law,
in relation to the reporting of educational absences


 PURPOSE :
The purpose of the bill is to provide for early intervention in cases
where a child is missing school on a somewhat regular basis, and to
intervene by providing support for the family by identifying and
addressing issues that may exist within the family. Section 1 adds a
new section 413-a to the social services law, by establishing a
Community Services Response Team (CSRT) within the local child
advocacy centers. Provides for the establishment of the team members
and the types of services, such as medical and mental health, that
shall be provided. Also explains that upon receiving a report from the
school district, the CSRT will dispatch two members of the team to
make a home visit and perform an evaluation. The CSRT will then report
back to the team, provide necessary services, and follow up with the
child advocacy center as to the outcome of the intervention, which is
then shared with the school. If there are further concerns raised by
the CSRT, contact will be made to the proper authorities.  Section 2
adds a new section 3211-b to the education law, by requiring that
schools review attendance records on a quarterly basis, and make

contact with the local child advocacy center if absences from school
meet the definition of educational concern. Defines educational
concern as when a child has three or more unexcused absences in a
month, or ten or more absences in a school year, absent any
extenuating circumstances.  Section 3 provides for the establishment
of five pilot programs through- out the state (with at least one being
in Kings County), and that the programs be evaluated two years after
implementation, and that such report be shared with the legislature.
Section 4 provides an effective date of 180 days after becoming law.

 EXISTING LAW :
Currently, Social Services Law requires that school officials report
instances of suspected abuse or neglect to the State Central Registry.
Although the definition of child neglect does include failing to
provide for a proper education for a child, the definition is
extremely vague and only points to the education law and the
requirements of compulsory education. There is no uniform trigger that
exists for the school administration for reporting concerns with a
child's attendance. Typically, the school will contact the family and
discuss the absences; however, this is left up to the individual
school districts.

 JUSTIFICATION :
In some cases, the reason for a child's excessive school absences is
due to parental abuse or neglect. In the case of Nixzmary Brown, who
was murdered in January of 2006, she missed more than 40 days of
school before authorities were contacted to address the situation..
School districts cannot be expected to take on the role of providing
assessments and interventions for children on top of the rest of their
work; similarly, it would not be appropriate to make a report to Child
Protective Services in cases where a child has only missed a few days
of school. The establishment of a Community Services Response Team,
and a requirement for a regular review of school attendance, provides
an opportunity, not only to make that initial contact when suspicious
absences are first noticed, but allows for contact to be made by
community service providers who may already be familiar with the
families, and who the families may feel much less threatened by.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
2007-2008 - S.3330-A; Died in Committee
 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
To be determined.

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
To be determined.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect 180 days after becoming law.

2009-S4927 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  4927

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                             April 27, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen.  MONTGOMERY  -- read twice and ordered printed, and
  when printed to be committed to the Committee on Children and Families

AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to the creation  of
  community  services response teams; and to amend the education law, in
  relation to the reporting of educational absences

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1.  The social services law is amended by adding a new section
413-a to read as follows:
  S  413-A. COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM.  1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTAB-
LISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY  SERVICES
A  PROGRAM  TO  BE KNOWN AS THE COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE PROGRAM. THE
GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES BY  SUPPLY-
ING THEM WITH ACCESS TO NECESSARY SUPPLIES, SUPPORTS AND SERVICES.
  2. (A) THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES SHALL ESTABLISH FIVE
COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAMS ACROSS THE STATE.
  (B)  THE  COMMUNITY  SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM SHALL CONSIST OF A TEAM OF
INDIVIDUALS THAT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE IN ACCESSING SUPPLIES, SUPPORTS AND
SERVICES, IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, TO  FAMI-
LIES IN NEED.
  (C)  EACH  COMMUNITY  SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM SHALL CONSIST OF AT LEAST
TWO OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS:
  (I) CASE MANAGERS FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCIES;
  (II) MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT;
  (III) TEACHERS OR GUIDANCE COUNSELORS FROM THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT;
  (IV) COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS;
  (V) SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS;
  (VI) COMMUNITY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS; AND
  (VII) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNSELORS.
  3. THE REFERRALS AND  SERVICES  PROVIDED  BY  THE  COMMUNITY  SERVICES
RESPONSE TEAM SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD01854-01-9

S. 4927                             2

  (A) MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES;
  (B) MEDICAL SERVICES;
  (C) EMPLOYMENT SERVICES;
  (D) FOOD SECURITY;
  (E) CLOTHING;
  (F) SOCIAL SERVICES;
  (G) HOUSING ASSISTANCE;
  (H) ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES; AND
  (I) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES.
  4.  A  LOCAL  SCHOOL  DISTRICT,  LOCATED  IN  A  LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES
DISTRICT OR LOCALITY DESIGNATED BY THE OFFICE  OF  CHILDREN  AND  FAMILY
SERVICES  TO HAVE A COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM, SHALL DESIGNATE AN
EMPLOYEE OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHO SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTACTING
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM REGARDING  INSTANCES  OF
EDUCATIONAL  CONCERN,  AS DEFINED UNDER SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION THIR-
TY-TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN-B OF  THE  EDUCATION  LAW,  WHEN  SUCH  CALLS  ARE
REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THIRTY-TWO HUNDRED ELEV-
EN  OF  THE EDUCATION LAW. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM SHALL BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR  ASSESSING  THE  CIRCUMSTANCES  REGARDING  INSTANCES  OF
EDUCATIONAL  CONCERN  AND  REVIEWING  THE  SITUATION  THAT EXISTS IN THE
CHILD'S LIFE AND/OR HOUSEHOLD.  THE  COMMUNITY  SERVICES  RESPONSE  TEAM
SHALL  DISPATCH  A  SUB-TEAM  MADE  UP  OF  TWO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY
SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM TO THE CHILD'S HOME.
  5. UPON REVIEW OF THE SITUATION, THE SUB-TEAM SHALL ISSUE AN ORAL  AND
WRITTEN  REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM. AFTER REVIEW OF
SUCH REPORTS, THE COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE  TEAM  MAY  TAKE  WHATEVER
ADDITIONAL ACTIONS THEY DEEM APPROPRIATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICA-
BLE  PROVISIONS  OF  LAW  INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CONSULTING WITH
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, MEDICAL  PROFES-
SIONALS,  OR  LAW  ENFORCEMENT  OFFICERS  TO ASSIST THE CHILD AND/OR THE
CHILD'S  FAMILY  IN  OBTAINING  NECESSARY  SUPPLIES,   SUPPORTS   AND/OR
SERVICES.  ONE  OR  MORE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM
SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTIFYING THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT OF  ACTIONS
TAKEN AND OUTCOMES ACHIEVED FOR THE CHILD AND/OR THE CHILD'S FAMILY.
  S  2.  The  education law is amended by adding a new section 3211-b to
read as follows:
  S 3211-B. REPORTING OF EDUCATIONAL ABSENCES. 1. EVERY SCHOOL  DISTRICT
SHALL REVIEW THE ATTENDANCE RECORDS OF EACH SCHOOL ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
UPON  SUCH  REVIEW,  THE  SCHOOL  DISTRICT  SHALL CONTACT THE APPLICABLE
COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM, IF ONE EXISTS IN THE  SOCIAL  SERVICES
DISTRICT OR LOCALITY WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS LOCATED, REGARDING ANY
CHILD WHO HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF EDUCATIONAL CONCERN.
  2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, EDUCATIONAL CONCERN SHALL BE WHEN
A  CHILD  HAS  A THIRD UNEXCUSED ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL DURING ANY MONTH OR
HAS TEN ABSENCES, EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED, DURING ANY SCHOOL  YEAR,  ABSENT
ANY  EXTENUATING  CIRCUMSTANCES,  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER  THAT THE NUMBER OF
ABSENCES IS LESS THAN THE NUMBER NECESSARY FOR  EDUCATIONAL  NEGLECT  AS
DEFINED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
  S  3.  The  commissioner of the office of children and family services
shall designate five counties throughout the state to participate in the
community services response program, provided, however that at least one
community services response team shall be located within  Kings  county.
The  local  social services districts which represent the selected coun-
ties, in cooperation with the local school  districts,  shall  implement
the  program  pursuant  to section 413-a of the social services law. The
programs shall commence  on  December  1,  2009.  Two  years  after  the

S. 4927                             3

programs have been in existence, the commissioner of children and family
services  shall report to the legislature regarding the effectiveness of
the program. The commissioner's report shall include statistical data on
the  amount  of  services referred or provided by the community services
response teams to the local children and  their  families,  as  well  as
recommendations  by  the  commissioner  on whether the program should be
terminated, continued, or extended to all child advocacy centers  state-
wide.
  S  4.  Nothing  in  this act shall be construed to alleviate the legal
responsibility of a person designated  in  section  413  of  the  social
services  law  to make a call to the statewide central register of child
abuse and maltreatment, if such call would otherwise be required  pursu-
ant to section 413 of the social services law.
  S 5. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law.  Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
tation  of  this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed by the commissioner of  the  office  of  children  and  family
services on or before such effective date.

2009-S4927A (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Children And Families
Law Section:: Social Services Law
Laws Affected:: Add §413-a, Soc Serv L; add §3211-b, Ed L

2009-S4927A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2009-S4927A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S4927A

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to the creation
of community services response teams; and to amend the education law,
in relation to the reporting of educational absences


 PURPOSE :
The purpose of the bill is to provide for early intervention in cases
where a child is missing school on a somewhat regular basis, and to
intervene by providing support for the family by identifying and
addressing issues that may exist within the family.

Section 1 adds a new section 413-a to the social services law, by
establishing a Community Services Response Team (CSRT) within the
local child advocacy centers. Provides for the establishment of the
team members and the types of services, such as medical and mental
health, that shall be provided. Also explains that upon receiving a
report from the school district, the CSRT will dispatch two members of
the team to make a home visit and perform an evaluation.  The CSRT
will then report back to the team, provide necessary services, and
follow up with the child advocacy center as to the outcome of the
intervention, which is then shared with the school.  If there are
further concerns raised by the CSRT, contact will be made to the
proper authorities.

Section 2 adds a new section 3211-b to the education law, by requiring
that schools review attendance records on a quarterly basis, and make
contact with the local child advocacy center if absences from school
meet the definition of educational concern. Defines educational
concern as when a child has three or more unexcused absences in a
month, or ten or more absences in a school year, absent any
extenuating circumstances.

Section 3 provides for the establishment of five pilot programs
throughout the state (with at least one being in Kings County), and
that the programs be evaluated two years after implementation, and
that such report be shared with the legislature.

Section 4 provides an effective date of 180 days after becoming law.

 EXISTING LAW :
Currently, Social Services Law requires that school officials report
instances of suspected abuse or neglect to the State Central Registry.

Although the definition of child neglect does include failing to
provide for a proper education for a child, the definition is
extremely vague and only points to the education law and the
requirements of compulsory education. There is no uniform trigger that
exists for the school administration for reporting concerns with a
child's attendance. Typically, the school will contact the family and
discuss the absences; however, this is left up to the individual
school districts.

 JUSTIFICATION :
In some cases, the reason for a child's excessive school absences is
due to parental abuse or neglect. In the case of Nixzmary Brown, who
was murdered in January of 2006, she missed more than 40 days of
school before authorities were contacted to address the situation..
School districts cannot be expected to take on the role of providing
assessments and interventions for children on top of the rest of their
work; similarly, it would not be appropriate to make a report to Child
Protective Services in cases where a child has only missed a few days
of school. The establishment of a Community Services Response Team,
and a requirement for a regular review of school attendance, provides
an opportunity, not only to make that initial contact when suspicious
absences are first noticed, but allows for contact to be made by
community service providers who may already be familiar with the
families, and who the families may feel much less threatened by.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
2007-2008 - S.3330-A; Died in Committee

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
To be determined.

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
To be determined.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect 180 days after becoming law.

2009-S4927A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 4927--A

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                             April 27, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sen.  MONTGOMERY  -- read twice and ordered printed, and
  when printed to be committed to the Committee on Children and Families
  -- recommitted to the Committee on Children and Families in accordance
  with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8  --  committee  discharged,  bill  amended,
  ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

AN  ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to the creation of
  community services response teams; and to amend the education law,  in
  relation to the reporting of educational absences

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1.  The social services law is amended by adding a new section
413-a to read as follows:
  S 413-A. COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM.  1. THERE IS HEREBY  ESTAB-
LISHED  UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
A PROGRAM TO BE KNOWN AS THE COMMUNITY SERVICES  RESPONSE  PROGRAM.  THE
GOAL  OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ASSIST CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES BY SUPPLY-
ING THEM WITH ACCESS TO NECESSARY SUPPLIES, SUPPORTS AND SERVICES.
  2. (A) THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES SHALL ESTABLISH FIVE
COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAMS ACROSS THE STATE.
  (B) THE COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM SHALL CONSIST OF  A  TEAM  OF
INDIVIDUALS THAT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE IN ACCESSING SUPPLIES, SUPPORTS AND
SERVICES,  IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, TO FAMI-
LIES IN NEED.
  (C) EACH COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM SHALL CONSIST  OF  AT  LEAST
TWO OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS:
  (I) CASE MANAGERS FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCIES;
  (II) MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT;
  (III) TEACHERS OR GUIDANCE COUNSELORS FROM THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT;
  (IV) COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS;
  (V) SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS;
  (VI) COMMUNITY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS; AND

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD01854-02-0

S. 4927--A                          2

  (VII) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNSELORS.
  3.  THE  REFERRALS  AND  SERVICES  PROVIDED  BY THE COMMUNITY SERVICES
RESPONSE TEAM SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
  (A) MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES;
  (B) MEDICAL SERVICES;
  (C) EMPLOYMENT SERVICES;
  (D) FOOD SECURITY;
  (E) CLOTHING;
  (F) SOCIAL SERVICES;
  (G) HOUSING ASSISTANCE;
  (H) ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES; AND
  (I) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES.
  4. A LOCAL  SCHOOL  DISTRICT,  LOCATED  IN  A  LOCAL  SOCIAL  SERVICES
DISTRICT  OR  LOCALITY  DESIGNATED  BY THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY
SERVICES TO HAVE A COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM, SHALL DESIGNATE  AN
EMPLOYEE OF SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT WHO SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTACTING
MEMBERS  OF  THE COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM REGARDING INSTANCES OF
EDUCATIONAL CONCERN, AS DEFINED UNDER SUBDIVISION TWO OF  SECTION  THIR-
TY-TWO  HUNDRED  ELEVEN-B  OF  THE  EDUCATION  LAW,  WHEN SUCH CALLS ARE
REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION THIRTY-TWO HUNDRED ELEV-
EN OF THE EDUCATION LAW. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM  SHALL  BE
RESPONSIBLE  FOR  ASSESSING  THE  CIRCUMSTANCES  REGARDING  INSTANCES OF
EDUCATIONAL CONCERN AND REVIEWING  THE  SITUATION  THAT  EXISTS  IN  THE
CHILD'S  LIFE  AND/OR  HOUSEHOLD.  THE  COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM
SHALL DISPATCH A SUB-TEAM MADE  UP  OF  TWO  MEMBERS  OF  THE  COMMUNITY
SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM TO THE CHILD'S HOME.
  5.  UPON REVIEW OF THE SITUATION, THE SUB-TEAM SHALL ISSUE AN ORAL AND
WRITTEN REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM. AFTER REVIEW  OF
SUCH  REPORTS,  THE  COMMUNITY  SERVICES RESPONSE TEAM MAY TAKE WHATEVER
ADDITIONAL ACTIONS THEY DEEM APPROPRIATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICA-
BLE PROVISIONS OF LAW INCLUDING, BUT NOT  LIMITED  TO,  CONSULTING  WITH
CHILD  PROTECTIVE SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, MEDICAL PROFES-
SIONALS, OR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO  ASSIST  THE  CHILD  AND/OR  THE
CHILD'S   FAMILY   IN  OBTAINING  NECESSARY  SUPPLIES,  SUPPORTS  AND/OR
SERVICES. ONE OR MORE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY  SERVICES  RESPONSE  TEAM
SHALL  BE RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTIFYING THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ACTIONS
TAKEN AND OUTCOMES ACHIEVED FOR THE CHILD AND/OR THE CHILD'S FAMILY.
  S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new  section  3211-b  to
read as follows:
  S  3211-B. REPORTING OF EDUCATIONAL ABSENCES. 1. EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT
SHALL REVIEW THE ATTENDANCE RECORDS OF EACH SCHOOL ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
UPON SUCH REVIEW, THE  SCHOOL  DISTRICT  SHALL  CONTACT  THE  APPLICABLE
COMMUNITY  SERVICES  RESPONSE TEAM, IF ONE EXISTS IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES
DISTRICT OR LOCALITY WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS LOCATED, REGARDING ANY
CHILD WHO HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF EDUCATIONAL CONCERN.
  2. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, EDUCATIONAL CONCERN SHALL BE WHEN
A CHILD HAS A THIRD UNEXCUSED ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL DURING  ANY  MONTH  OR
HAS  TEN  ABSENCES, EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED, DURING ANY SCHOOL YEAR, ABSENT
ANY EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES, PROVIDED,  HOWEVER  THAT  THE  NUMBER  OF
ABSENCES  IS  LESS  THAN THE NUMBER NECESSARY FOR EDUCATIONAL NEGLECT AS
DEFINED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
  S 3. The commissioner of the office of children  and  family  services
shall designate five counties throughout the state to participate in the
community services response program, provided, however that at least one
community  services  response team shall be located within Kings county.
The local social services districts which represent the  selected  coun-

S. 4927--A                          3

ties,  in  cooperation  with the local school districts, shall implement
the program pursuant to section 413-a of the social  services  law.  The
programs  shall  commence  on  December  1,  2010.  Two  years after the
programs have been in existence, the commissioner of children and family
services  shall report to the legislature regarding the effectiveness of
the program. The commissioner's report shall include statistical data on
the amount of services referred or provided by  the  community  services
response  teams  to  the  local  children and their families, as well as
recommendations by the commissioner on whether  the  program  should  be
terminated,  continued, or extended to all child advocacy centers state-
wide.
  S 4. Nothing in this act shall be construed  to  alleviate  the  legal
responsibility  of  a  person  designated  in  section 413 of the social
services law to make a call to the statewide central register  of  child
abuse  and maltreatment, if such call would otherwise be required pursu-
ant to section 413 of the social services law.
  S 5. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law.  Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be  made  and
completed  by  the  commissioner  of  the  office of children and family
services on or before such effective date.

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