SB154: An Act To Amend Title 10 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Procedure In The Family Court In The State Of Delaware.

Legislative Summary

This Act repeals the outdated requirement for the Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families (DSCYF) to seek approval before mixing youth who have been adjudicated delinquent with youth who do not have a delinquency history in the same facility. The mixing statute was codified in 1987, and since then, DSCYF has developed rigorous safety protocols and uses evidence-based assessments to determine appropriate placements for children in the care of the department. The current practices of DSCYF have eliminated the need for mixing approval, which in some cases require DSCYF to seek a court order. In addition, the Family Court conducts regular review hearings for youth in DSCYF custody, allowing opportunities for the department, the childs attorney, the child (if age appropriate), and the judicial officer to monitor many factors relating to the childs placement, including safety.