BILL NUMBER: S4759

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to chemical testing
for prospective foster care parents

 
PURPOSE:

Relates to chemical testing for prospective foster parents prior to
certification.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

This bill will amend section 378 of the social services law by adding a
new subdivision 6. Subdivision 6 (a) will not allow such license or
certificate to be awarded to a prospective foster parent prior to chemi-
cal testing, including, but not limited to drug and alcohol testing. In
the given case if such chemical testing reveals a positive presence of
drugs or alcohol in such a prospective foster parent the application for
              

certification or licensure will be denied.  Once the foster parent is
awarded license or certificate subdivision 6 (b) states that the depart-
ment shall issue random chemical testing to foster parents, including
but not limited to, drug and alcohol testing.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Social Services has reported various incidents where foster parents have
been arrested for drug charges by State Police. Background checks are
done prior to the approval of foster parents, but in certain cases there
is no information that leads to the history of substance abuse. In order
to locate suitable foster homes for children to insure their safety,
foster parents should be required to take chemical testing prior to
certification. If the testing is found to be positive the individual
should be denied for application or certification.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-20: S.4598 - Referred to Children and Families
2017-18: S.5663 - passed the Senate, delivered to the Assembly

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.