AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION TO EVALUATE CERTAIN COMMUNITY GROUP HOMES.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mitch Bolinsky

HB 6668 requires DESPP to evaluate certain community group homes, expanding safety oversight through data collection and reporting on facility conditions and readiness.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Safety and Security

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HB 6668 — Summary

Overview

HB 6668 is a bill introduced on January 24, 2025, titled AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION TO EVALUATE CERTAIN COMMUNITY GROUP HOMES. The bill is currently “REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Safety and Security,” meaning it has been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security for consideration. The text of the bill and any fiscal impact have not been provided in the information available.

Purpose and Intent

The primary stated purpose, based on the title, is to require the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) to evaluate certain community group homes.

The bill seeks to place a formal evaluation function within DESPP’s responsibilities, potentially to assess safety, compliance, emergency-readiness, or regulatory aspects related to those facilities.

What the bill would do (as currently described)

Mandate an evaluation by DESPP of “certain community group homes.”

The exact scope, criteria, standards, methodologies, and reporting requirements are not included in the provided information. The definitions of which facilities qualify as “certain community group homes,” the evaluation framework, and the timeline for completion would be detailed in the full text if and when released.

Note: Without the bill text, specific provisions such as who conducts the evaluations, what metrics are used, how findings are reported, and any required actions or timelines remain unknown.

Affected Parties

Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP): would assume a new or expanded evaluative role.

Community group homes identified as within the scope of the bill: facilities and possibly the residents and staff.

Other stakeholders may include local emergency management offices, licensing bodies, and state policymakers who rely on evaluation findings.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: January 24, 2025.

Status: Ref. to Joint Committee on Public Safety and Security for potential hearings and amendments.

Next steps (typical process): The committee may hold hearings, propose amendments, and eventually move the bill to the floor for debate and voting. If advanced, the bill would proceed through further legislative steps (e.g., passage by both chambers and potential gubernatorial action) depending on the chamber rules and scheduling.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

If enacted, DESPP would gain responsibility for evaluating certain community group homes, which could lead to:

Improved safety oversight and consistency in standards.
Data collection and reporting on facility conditions, incidents, or preparedness.
Potential funding needs for DESPP to conduct evaluations and produce reports.
Possible regulatory or programmatic changes for identified facilities.

Conversely, there could be concerns about regulatory burden, resource allocation, and the scope of facilities included.

Next Steps for Readers

Monitor the release of the full bill text and any fiscal notes.

Watch for committee hearings and proposed amendments by the Public Safety and Security committee.

Engage with elected representatives if you have interest or concerns about how “certain community group homes” would be defined and evaluated.