Relates to proceedings regarding destitute children

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Hevesi

The bill aims to reform how proceedings involving destitute children are initiated, conducted, and decided to protect their welfare and rights.

REFERRED TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Summary: Assembly Bill A-1990 — Relates to proceedings regarding destitute children

What this bill is

Bill number: A-1990

Title: Relates to proceedings regarding destitute children

Sponsor: Andrew Hevesi (primary)

Introduced: January 14, 2025

Status: Referred to the Assembly Committee on Children and Families

Legislative actions: Referred to Children and Families on January 14, 2025 (noted twice in the provided record)

Related prior-session bills: A 10722; A 3588

Purpose and intent (based on the title)

The bill appears to address the legal processes and procedures involved when children are described as destitute. While the exact text is not provided, such a bill typically seeks to:
- Clarify or modify how proceedings involving destitute or impoverished children are initiated, conducted, and concluded.
- Strengthen protections for the welfare and rights of children who lack adequate means or support.
- Determine roles and responsibilities of courts, child welfare agencies, and guardians ad litem in these proceedings.
- Establish or adjust timelines, standards, and oversight to ensure timely and appropriate placement, care, or services for affected children.

Key provisions (note on current information)

The specific statutory changes, definitions, processes, and protections are not included in the information provided.

If enacted, the bill could cover areas such as:

Definitions of “destitute child” and applicable thresholds.
Procedures for initiating proceedings in family or surrogate/juvenile court.
Roles of social services agencies, law guardians, and attorneys for children.
Standards for emergency removals, temporary placements, and long-term care decisions.
Safeguards to protect privacy, due process, and the child’s best interests.
Funding, training, and oversight provisions for agencies involved.

Who would be affected

Destitute or financially vulnerable children and their families or guardians.

New York State family court judges and administrators.

New York City/State child welfare agencies, including caseworkers and supervisors.

Guardians ad litem and attorneys representing children.

Service providers responsible for parenting, foster care, group homes, or other placements.

Legal professionals involved in child welfare proceedings.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral: January 14, 2025, with referral to the Committee on Children and Families.

Next steps in the legislative process typically include committee hearings, possible amendments, floor votes in the Assembly, and onward transmission to the Senate (if applicable) and any required fiscal analyses.

Potential impact and considerations

If enacted, the bill could streamline or reform how proceedings concerning destitute children are handled, potentially affecting timelines, placement decisions, and oversight.

Could influence funding needs for child welfare services, court administration, and guardian ad litem resources.

The actual impact will depend on the exact provisions, definitions, and implementation details in the bill’s text.

How to learn more

To provide a precise, text-based summary, the actual bill language is needed. Review:

The bill text on the New York Assembly website (A-1990)
Committee memo and fiscal impact note
Sponsor statements and associating fact sheets
Related bills (A 10722, A 3588) for context on prior-session approaches

If you can share the bill’s full text or any committee memos, I can produce a detailed provision-by-provision summary with precise impacts.