Requires the provision of 5 days of paid leave and counseling to child protective services employees investigating child abuse or maltreatment when the child dies from such abuse or maltreatment

BILL NUMBER:S7506

Title of bill

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to paid leave and counseling for child protective services employees when an abused or maltreated child dies

Purpose

To give paid leave and counseling to child protective services employees when an abused or maltreated child dies.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. adds a new section 424-c to the social services law that would provide five days paid leave, and counseling to non-supervisory child protective services employees when there is a child fatality in a case of suspected child abuse, or maltreatment they are investigating. This section further provides (b) that such leave shall not be charged against any other leave the employee is otherwise entitled to. Lastly this section provides that each local service district shall offer every non-supervisory local child protective services employee subject of this section counseling or psychological assistance at no cost to the employee.

Justification

While fatalities during child protective services investigations are rare, they can be quite traumatic for all parties involved. This act would allow child protective services employees paid leave and counseling to cope with the traumatic experience of a child fatality during an investigation that they experienced first hand.

Legislative history

None.

Fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.