What's happening
This bill requires chemical (drug and alcohol) testing for prospective and current foster parents, denying licensure for positive results.
Why it matters
Increases scrutiny of foster parent applicants. by mandating chemical (drug and alcohol) testing before issuing a foster care license, aiming to ensure safer environments for children but potentially deterring some applicants.
Denies foster care licensure for any positive drug or alcohol test result,. regardless of context (including possible prescriptions or non-impairing substances), which could exclude otherwise qualified caregivers and raise questions about fairness or due process.
Introduces ongoing random chemical testing for current foster parents,. not just new applicants, signaling a shift toward continuous oversight rather than a one-time screening.
Empowers the Office of Children and Family Services. with new responsibilities and authority to implement and enforce these testing protocols, which may require additional resources and administrative adjustments.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Drug Tests for Foster Parents
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 Senate 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
3734
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 30, 2019
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.
LBD04960-01-9
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.