2022 -- H 8004

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LC005451

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND

HOSPITALS -- DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Alzate, Felix, Casimiro, Giraldo, Amore, and Henries

     Date Introduced: March 18, 2022

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 40.1-21 of the General Laws entitled "Division of Developmental

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Disabilities" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     40.1-21-19. Social caseworker caseload.

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     (a) There shall be a workload study conducted by the directors of the department of

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behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals ("BHDDH"), the department of

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children, youth and families ("DCYF"), and the department of human services ("DHS") in order to

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determine the optimal caseload limits for social caseworkers II in the division of developmental

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disabilities unit of BHDDH.

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     (b) The study shall be completed within one year and reported back to the general assembly

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by September 1, 2023. The study shall include:

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     (1) A scientific time measurement of what duties the social caseworkers II actually

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perform;

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     (2) Determining a set of minimum essential workload standards based on federal, state, and

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local mandates;

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     (3) Developing a set of optional, best practices standards;

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     (4) Calculating staffing needs to fulfill these essential and best practice standards;

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     (5) Projecting needs based on caseload growth and plans to fulfill unmet service needs; and

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     (6) Ensuring caseloads achieve positive outcomes for the children and families served, as

 

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well as considering worker turnover.

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     (c) Until such time as the study is completed, the caseload limit for social caseworkers II

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shall be one hundred fifty (150) clients per social caseworker II.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND

HOSPITALS -- DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

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     This act would create a workload study for social caseworkers II in the division of

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developmental disabilities within the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental

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disabilities and hospitals (BHDDH). The study would be completed within one year and the results

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reported to the general assembly. Until such time as the study is completed, the caseload limit

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would be one hundred fifty (150) clients per social caseworker II.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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