Sen. Formica Applauds Senate Passage of Bill Inspired by Foster Care Youth

April 24, 2018

Today the State Senate unanimously approved a bill that would require foster care youth to be notified before being transferred out of their homes.  State Senator Paul Formica (R-East Lyme) advocated for the bill and applauded the bipartisan Senate vote.

Senate Bill 323 An Act Requiring Notice Prior to the Transfer of a Child to a New Out-of-Home Placement, would require the Department of Children and Families to notify children before they are transferred to a new out-of-home placement so that they can prepare for transfers in the foster care system. Under this bill, DCF would be required to provide written notice to a child at least ten days prior to a home transfer. The exception for notification would be if there is an emergency situation that requires a child be moved immediately.

Sen. Formica asked the Children’s Committee to raise this bill earlier this year after he met with a group of current and former foster youth advocates who came to the Capitol on Youth at the Capitol Day, organized by CT Voices for Children. At this event, Sen. Formica spoke with many young people who were part of the state’s foster care system who discussed their own personal experiences including transitioning between foster homes, group homes, and other residential placements. One of their recommendations was to improve the system by addressing notification time between transfers, as this bill now proposes.

“The children and young adults who spoke out about their experiences in foster care at Youth at the Capitol Day demonstrated a great deal of strength and bravery in sharing their stories. One of their major requests was to improve the way the state helps foster youth prepare for transfers by giving them more notice and time to prepare for these big changes. I am very appreciative of the bipartisan support this bill received. It is one step forward in addressing the concerns these inspiring young people brought to the Capitol. Their voices are being heard,” said Formica.

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives where it must be voted on before the legislative session ends on May 9, 2018.