Enacts the "criminal court opinion transparency act"

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Gianaris and 1 co-sponsor

Allows families to reallocate unused after-school care hours for holiday and weekend services for youths with developmental disabilities up to age 21.

COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES

Overview

S 3864, as reported by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (May 19, 2025), authorizes families or guardians of individuals with developmental disabilities to reallocate unused after‑school service hours provided by community agencies under the Division of the Children’s System of Care (DCSOC). The reallocated hours may be used for holiday and weekend service instead of only after‑school periods. The bill takes effect immediately and directs the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to adopt implementing rules.

Note on title and sponsor discrepancies: The bill information header names the "Criminal Court Opinion Transparency Act," but the committee statement and text provided address after‑school/holiday service hours for individuals with developmental disabilities under DCSOC. This summary reflects the actual bill text and committee statement. Sponsor metadata lists Michael Gianaris (primary) and Brad Hoylman‑Sigal (cosponsor); the committee statement also shows sponsorship/co‑sponsorship by Senators Lagana, Mukherji, McKnight, and Singer. Related companion and prior‑session bills are noted below.

Key provisions

Permits families/guardians to "set aside" any amount of unused agency‑after‑school care service hours for use during holiday and weekend hours, provided the individual is authorized to receive family support services from a DCSOC‑contracted agency.

Requires DCF (through DCSOC) to ensure this reallocation of hours is available notwithstanding other laws, rules, or regulations.

Directs the Department of Children and Families to promulgate implementing regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Effective immediately upon enactment.

Definitions

"Agency‑after school care": social and recreational experiences provided by a community‑based agency contracted with DCSOC to an individual up to the age of 21 with a developmental disability during after‑school hours and outside the individual's home.

Committee amendment broadened the age scope from the introduced version’s “between the age of 19 and 21” to “up to the age of 21.”

Who is affected

Individuals with developmental disabilities up to age 21 who are authorized for family support services through DCSOC.

Their families or legal guardians (who may reallocate hours).

Community‑based agencies contracted with DCSOC to deliver after‑school care.

DCSOC and the Department of Children and Families (charged with implementation and rulemaking).

Legislative status & related bills

Introduced: November 18, 2024 (referred to Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee).

Reported and committed to Finance: March 11, 2025.

Reported out of Senate Health Committee with amendments: May 19, 2025 (1st reprint).

Companion/related: A4642, A4674 (companions), S9674 (prior session).

Potential impact

Increases scheduling flexibility for families of youth with developmental disabilities by permitting conversion of unused after‑school hours to holiday/weekend service blocks.

May require contract/operational adjustments by DCSOC‑contracted providers and administrative rulemaking by DCF to define procedures, tracking, and limits (if any).

Bill