What's happening
This bill requires chemical (drug and alcohol) testing for prospective foster parents and mandates random testing for current foster parents.
Why it matters
Increases Scrutiny of Foster Parents. By mandating pre-approval drug and alcohol testing, the bill aims to ensure that only individuals who are free from substance use disorders are allowed to become foster parents, potentially enhancing the safety and stability of placements for vulnerable children.
Ongoing Accountability. The requirement for random chemical testing of current foster parents introduces a continuous oversight mechanism, not just a one-time check, which could deter substance use and help identify problems early during a foster placement.
Potential Impact on Foster Parent Supply. Stricter screening and ongoing testing might discourage some applicants or cause existing foster parents to leave the system, which could affect the overall availability of foster homes for children in need.
Administrative and Privacy Considerations. The implementation of regular testing may require significant administrative resources and could raise concerns about privacy and the handling of sensitive health information for foster parents.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Test Foster Parents for Drugs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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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.
Drug Tests for Foster Parents
In Assembly Committee · Children And Families · Sponsor Kevin S. Parker
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2542
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 20, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. PRETLOW -- read once and referred to the Committee on Children and Families
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to chemical testing for prospective foster care parents
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 378 of the social services law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
6. (a) No such license or certificate shall be awarded to a prospective foster parent prior to chemical testing, including, but not limited to, drug and alcohol testing. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an application for certification or licensure or approval of a prospective foster parent shall be denied where such chemical testing reveals a positive presence of drugs or alcohol in such prospective foster parent.
(b) The office of children and family services shall issue random chemical testing to foster parents, including, but not limited to, drug testing.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05217-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.