Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 53–Committee

on Judiciary

FILE NUMBER........

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

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

neglected children in this state were placed in protective custody; and

Whereas, Currently, a child who is placed in protective custody is

initially under the supervision of the child protective services agency of a

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

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

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

months, the child is then removed from the supervision of the child

protective services agency and is placed under the supervision of the

Division of Child and Family Services of the Department of Human

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

different foster home and treated by a different therapist; and

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

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

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

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

bifurcated child welfare system; and

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

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

in need of protection; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

Concurring, That the Legislative Commission is hereby directed to

appoint a subcommittee, consisting of four members of the Assembly and

four members of the Senate, to conduct an interim study of the integration

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

Resolved, That the study must include, without limitation, a

comprehensive evaluation of:

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

local child welfare systems;

2. Whether the responsibility for managing the integrated child welfare

system should be assumed entirely by the State of Nevada or by the

counties and how such a system will be funded;

3. The child welfare systems of other states;

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

services agencies of the counties and the Division of Child and Family

Services of the Department of Human Resources will be affected by

creating an integrated service agency; and

5. Any other issues necessary to determine the most appropriate

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

and be it further

Resolved, That the subcommittee shall consult with private citizens

and persons representative of governmental agencies involved in or

affected by the child welfare system, including, without limitation,

representatives of:

1. The Division of Child and Family Services of the Department of

Human Resources;

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

3. The juvenile and family courts;

4. Court Appointed Special Advocates;

5. Foster parents;

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

7. The State of Nevada Employees Association; and

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

it further

Resolved, That any recommended legislation proposed by the

subcommittee must be approved by a majority of the members of the

Senate and a majority of the members of the Assembly appointed to the

subcommittee; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislative Commission shall submit a report of the

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

session of the Nevada Legislature.

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