(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Child” or “children” means any person or persons under eighteen years of age, except as otherwise specified, or any person or persons under twenty-one years of age who is or are in full-time attendance in a secondary school, a technical school, a college or a state-accredited job training program; and

(2) “Child care facility” has the same meaning as provided in section 17a-93.

(b) Not later than January 1, 2017, the Commissioner of Children and Families shall require each child care facility that has the capacity to house not less than ten children to establish a youth advisory council. Each youth advisory council shall (1) create leadership opportunities for children residing in such child care facility, (2) enable children residing in such child care facility an opportunity to express and address grievances, (3) encourage open communication with staff members of such child care facility, and (4) enable children residing in such child care facility to develop skills, including, but not limited to, peer advocacy, public speaking and conflict resolution.

(c) The Commissioner of Children and Families shall establish procedures to enable each youth advisory council to report, not less than quarterly, to each Youth Advisory Board established pursuant to section 17a-10c to offer recommendations for policy and practice reforms to be used in child care facilities.

(P.A. 16-123, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 16-123 effective June 7, 2016.