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History
- Referred to children and families
- Referred to children and families
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to the medical examination and needs of children placed in foster care
In Assembly Committee · Children And Families · Sponsor Keith L.T. Wright
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law and the public health law, in relation to the medical evaluation of children placed in foster care
Purpose
This bill will provide continuity to the medical services provided to children in foster care and prevent the premature discharge of necessary services.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 adds a new section 383-d to the social services law, by requiring foster care workers to assist foster parents in setting up medical services for the child in their care.
Section 2 adds a new section 3620-a to the public health law, by requiring home care agencies to report the outcomes of their assessments with all parties, as well as providing a monthly assessment on the foster child's status. This section also requires that prior to discharging any medical services, the home care agency shall inform the treating physician, the foster care worker and the foster parent of the reason for such change in services.
Section 3 provides an immediate effective date.
Existing law
None.
Justification
On Tuesday July 8, 2003, little 8-year-old Stephanie Ramos, a foster child with multiple handicaps died. Her body was then placed in a garbage bag and dumped onto the curb by her panicked foster mother. Although it appears Stephanie died of natural causes, the lack of proper medical care surely exacerbated her condition. Up until November of 2002, Stephanie had a visiting nurse who saw her regularly and helped care for her, but for some unexplained reason, the foster mother discharged the nurses' services. The Administration for Children's Services commented that the visiting nurse was a free optional service that the foster mother felt was no longer necessary. However, the Association to Benefit Children (the contract agency handling Stephanie's case) stated they were unaware that there were no services in the home. Foster parents, especially those caring for special needs children, often get overwhelmed without proper assistance. Furthermore, foster parents who care for special needs children receive only 5 hours of training to prepare for handling things like feeding tubes and medications. Regardless of what a foster parent feels is necessary, the decisions on a foster child's medical care (who is still deemed to be a ward of, and the responsibility of, the State) should be left with the medical professionals trained to make such determinations. It is also of paramount importance that there is communication between the child's physician, home care nurse, and foster care worker, so proper care can be facilitated.
Legislative history
2007-2008: S.3162 - Died in Committee 2005-2006: S.1297 - Died in committee 2003-2004: S.5734 - Died in committee
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.