WASHINGTON (DC)
Susie’s Budget and Policy Corner

The Committee on Human Services (Ward 1 CM Jim Graham, chair) is holding a public hearing on B19-466, “Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Amendment Act of 2011” January 13 at 11:00 am. The legislation would make the following changes to current law:
Not require the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) to make reasonable efforts to reunify or preserve the family if a parent has committed certain crimes against a child or if the parent must register with a sex offender registry;

Require health care professionals to notify the CFSA when a child under 12 months of age is diagnosed with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD); and

Expand and clarify the definition of neglect to include an infant that has been diagnosed with FASD. (Language taken from DC Council website.)