EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Whereas, During 1998, more than 13,000 reports of child abuse or

1-2 neglect were submitted in the State of Nevada and more than 700 abused or

1-3 neglected children in this state were placed in protective custody; and

1-4 Whereas, Currently, a child who is placed in protective custody is

1-5 initially under the supervision of the child protective services agency of a

1-6 county for 6 months during which time he is assigned to a case manager

1-7 and may be placed in a foster home and treated by a therapist; and

1-8 Whereas, If a child remains in protective custody for more than 6

1-9 months, the child is then removed from the supervision of the child

1-10 protective services agency and is placed under the supervision of the

1-11 Division of Child and Family Services of the Department of Human

1-12 Resources and is typically assigned to a different case manager, placed in a

1-13 different foster home and treated by a different therapist; and

1-14 Whereas, Under this bifurcated system, a permanent plan for the care

1-15 and treatment of a child is delayed for at least 6 months and causes the

1-16 child to remain in the system for a longer period of time; and

1-17 Whereas, The State of Nevada is the only state that has such a

1-18 bifurcated child welfare system; and

1-19 Whereas, It is necessary to develop a more efficient system that will

1-20 provide more stability and continuity for the children of this state who are

1-21 in need of protection; now, therefore, be it

1-22 Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

1-23 Concurring, That the Legislative Commission is hereby directed to

2-1 appoint a subcommittee to conduct an interim study of the integration of

2-2 state and local child welfare systems in this state; and be it further

2-3 Resolved, That the study must include, without limitation, a

2-4 comprehensive evaluation of:

2-5 1. The appropriate manner in which to integrate the current state and

2-6 local child welfare systems;

2-7 2. Whether the responsibility for managing the integrated child welfare

2-8 system should be assumed entirely by the State of Nevada or by the

2-9 counties and how such a system will be funded;

2-10 3. The child welfare systems of other states;

2-11 4. The manner in which the current employees of the child protective

2-12 services agencies of the counties and the Division of Child and Family

2-13 Services of the Department of Human Resources will be affected by

2-14 creating an integrated service agency; and

2-15 5. Any other issues necessary to determine the most appropriate

2-16 manner in which to create an integrated child welfare system in this state;

2-17 and be it further

2-18 Resolved, That the subcommittee shall consult with private citizens

2-19 and persons representative of governmental agencies involved in or

2-20 affected by the child welfare system, including, without limitation,

2-21 representatives of:

2-22 1. The Division of Child and Family Services of the Department of

2-23 Human Resources;

2-24 2. The child protective services agencies of the counties in this state;

2-25 3. The juvenile and family courts;

2-26 4. Court Appointed Special Advocates;

2-27 5. Foster parents;

2-28 6. Guardians of children who are placed in protective custody;

2-29 7. The State of Nevada Employees Association; and

2-30 8. Organizations that represent employees of local government; and be

2-31 it further

2-32 Resolved, That any recommended legislation proposed by the

2-33 subcommittee must be approved by a majority of the members of the

2-34 Senate and a majority of the members of the Assembly appointed to the

2-35 subcommittee; and be it further

2-36 Resolved, That the Legislative Commission shall submit a report of the

2-37 results of the study and any recommendations for legislation to the 71st

2-38 session of the Nevada Legislature.