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SD 1930

An Act to establish the Leslie law

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Nick Collins

Mandates surveillance in out-of-home care, body-worn cameras for DCF staff, and medical alert devices with cell access for foster children to boost safety and accountability.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 1930

Summary: Senate Bill SD 1930 – An Act to establish the Leslie law

Overview

SD 1930, introduced March 10, 2025 by Senator Nick Collins, seeks to enhance accountability and safety in out-of-home care settings by mandating surveillance and recording, expanding use of body-worn cameras for DCF staff, and providing medical alert tools for foster children. The bill is currently noted as having the House concurred and has progressed through the legislative process in the 2025-2026 session. Key provisions would require surveillance in public spaces of facilities, body-worn cameras for social workers, and medical alert devices plus cellular access for foster children in state custody.

Purpose and Intent

  • Increase transparency and accountability in abuse investigations involving state employees or state-licensed foster care providers.
  • Improve safety for foster children and staff by documenting interactions and responses during investigations and emergency removals.
  • Ensure timely medical information and communication tools are available to foster children under DCF supervision.

Key Provisions

Section 2 — Surveillance in Out-of-Home Care Facilities

  • Trigger: In the event of an abuse allegation under Section 51A (escalated to 51B) involving a state employee or licensed foster parent.
  • Requirement: The facility must have surveillance cameras in all public spaces (excluding bedrooms and bathrooms used by children over age four).
  • Installation: Cameras installed within two business days of initiation of the Section 51B investigation.
  • Duration: Cameras remain for the entire licensing period and while the facility houses foster children; may be removed if the facility ceases operations under this chapter.
  • Funding/Administration: DCF is responsible for providing and financing all video surveillance equipment and the system to maintain recordings.

Section 3 — Body-Worn Cameras for Social Workers

  • Requirement: DCF-employed social workers must wear body-worn cameras when entering an out-of-home facility to conduct Section 51A proceedings.
  • Private Homes: If entering a private residence, consent from the biological parent/legal guardian is required, and recordings must comply with their decision.
  • Emergency Removals: Body-worn cameras required during emergency removal processes.
  • Records: DCF must maintain these recordings; yearly reports must reference footage in outcomes of emergency removals, incidents of physical altercations, violence, and law enforcement escalation.

Section 4 — Medical Alert Devices for Foster Children

  • Cellular Access: DCF must ensure every foster child over age 10 in custody has a functional cell phone; costs covered by the department.
  • Medical Alert Devices: Each foster child must have a medical alert device and training; devices contain essential health information.
  • Reporting: Yearly reports must include usage rates and outcomes of medical interventions tied to device use.
  • Health Evaluations: Annual comprehensive medical evaluations after intake health assessment; results used to identify abuse/maltreatment.

Section 5 — Waiver of Immunity

  • Non-compliance with act provisions may result in a waiver of immunity.

Section 6 — Effective Date

  • The act states an effective date of 2024, with necessary policies to comply by the effective date. (Note: This retroactive date appears prior to the bill’s 2025-2026 session introduction.)

Affected Parties

  • Foster children in state custody (in out-of-home care facilities or foster homes).
  • DCF (Department of Children and Families) personnel and operations.
  • State-licensed foster care providers and facilities.
  • Biological parents or legal guardians (in private-home visit contexts).

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • Filed/Senate Docket: January 17, 2025 (Senate No. 103).
  • Introduced: March 10, 2025.
  • Legislative Actions: Referred to the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities; House concurred on March 10, 2025.
  • Effective/Implementation: Provisions call for immediate equipment deployment within two business days of investigations, with ongoing reporting requirements; policies to comply to be enacted by the effective date stated (2024).

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Safety and accountability enhancements through recording and reporting.
  • Privacy considerations for children and families due to ongoing surveillance.
  • Financial implications for DCF to fund and maintain equipment and systems.
  • Training and compliance obligations for social workers and foster caregivers.
  • Monitoring and oversight via annual reports documenting outcomes and intervention effectiveness.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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