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SENATE AMENDED
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 3107
PRINTER'S NO. 3817
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2133
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY WATSON, PASHINSKI, CONKLIN, BOBACK, BULLOCK,
ENGLISH, HAHN, HEFFLEY, MENTZER, MOUL, RADER, READSHAW,
ROZZI, SCHLOSSBERG, SIMMONS, SOLOMON, STAATS, STEPHENS,
TOEPEL, TOOHIL, WARD, WARREN, WHEELAND, YOUNGBLOOD, M. QUINN,
DOWLING, DALEY, KORTZ, R. BROWN, MICCARELLI, BARBIN, FARRY,
McCLINTON, SANTORA, HANNA AND SCHWEYER, MARCH 9, 2018
AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, IN SENATE, JUNE 22, 2018
AN ACT
Establishing the Kinship Caregiver Navigator Program in the
Department of Human Services; and providing for kinship
caregiver navigator website and for kinship caregiver
navigators.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Kinship
Caregiver Navigator Program Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Area agency on aging." The single local agency designated
within a planning and service area by the Department of Aging to
develop and administer the delivery of a comprehensive and
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coordinated plan of social services and activities for older
adults.
"Child." An individual under 18 years of age.
"Contractor." An organization that is awarded a contract by
the department to establish the Kinship Caregiver Navigator
Program.
"County agency." A county children and youth social service
agency under the act of June 24, 1937 (P.L.2017, No.396), known
as the County Institution District Law, and supervised by the
department under Article IX of the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31,
No.21), known as the Human Services Code.
"Department." The Department of Human Services of the
Commonwealth.
"Kinship caregiver." An individual who:
(1) is at least 21 years of age;
(2) lives with and is responsible for the care of a
child; and
(3) is related within the fifth degree of consanguinity
or affinity to the parent or stepparent of the child.
"Kinship caregiver navigator." An individual who has been
trained by the department to understand the various State agency
systems serving kinship caregivers and assist in accessing
Federal, State and local services and supports available to
kinship caregivers.
"Program." The Kinship Caregiver Navigator Program
established by this act.
"Website." The kinship caregiver navigator website created
and maintained by the contractor.
Section 3. Kinship Caregiver Navigator Program.
(a) Establishment.--
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(1) The Kinship Caregiver Navigator Program is
established in the department.
(2) The department shall develop a proposal and solicit
a contractor to administer the program. Any person determined
eligible by the department may submit a proposal. The
department shall enter into a contract OR AGREEMENT with the
person whose proposal has been selected to administer the
program.
(b) Minimum criteria.--The contractor shall, at a minimum:
(1) Create and maintain a website pursuant to section 4.
(2) Create and maintain a kinship caregiver toll-free
telephone number or hotline to provide supportive listening
and guidance to kinship caregivers or persons who intend to
become kinship caregivers.
(3) Develop and provide training for individuals to
serve as kinship caregiver navigators.
(4) Educate the public on services and supports
available to kinship caregivers, including developing and
administering a Statewide marketing campaign. The contractor
may coordinate with other State and county agencies, area
agencies on aging, local education agencies and community
organizations to assist in disseminating information.
Section 4. Kinship caregiver navigator website.
(a) General rule.--The contractor shall develop a kinship
caregiver navigator website that provides information on support
and services available to current kinship caregivers and
prospective kinship caregivers.
(b) Required information.--The website shall include
information, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Federal and State programs.
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(2) Support groups for kinship caregivers and children
in the kinship caregiver's care.
(3) Respite services for kinship caregivers.
(4) Financial aid.
(5) Relevant legal resources and assistance.
(6) Education and supportive services for children.
(7) Training for current and prospective kinship
caregivers.
(8) The toll-free telephone number established under
section 3(b)(2).
(c) Live chat feature.--The website may include a live chat
feature.
(d) Feedback and suggestions.--The website shall include a
section for individuals to provide feedback and make
suggestions.
Section 5. Kinship caregiver navigators.
A kinship caregiver navigator shall:
(1) Assist kinship caregivers with finding information
for relevant Federal and State benefits, local supports and
services.
(2) Mediate with State agency staff or service providers
and, when necessary, assist in establishing relationships
between kinship caregivers and relevant Federal and State
agency staff.
(3) Work with the local area agency on aging and county
agency to identify and provide outreach to kinship caregivers
in need of additional services.
(4) Refer kinship caregivers to the appropriate county
agency contact.
Section 6. Effective date.
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This act shall take effect in 180 days.
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