8-526.01. Missing children; reporting requirements; definitions
(Rpld. 1/1/27)
A. For each six-month period beginning on January 1 or July 1, the department shall make available:
1. For runaway children, all of the following:
(a) The number of individual children who were on runaway status on the last day of the prior reporting period.
(b) The number of new runaway episodes initiated during the current reporting period.
(c) The number of times children return from a runaway episode during the current reporting period.
(d) The number of individual children on runaway status on the last day of the current reporting period.
(e) Of total care days during the reporting period, the percentage of care days associated with children on runaway status.
(f) The number of individual children on runaway status on the last day of the reporting period by categories of length of time on runaway status.
(g) The number of individual children on runaway status on the last day of the reporting period, by age.
(h) The placement location from which a child ran away, including all licensed foster homes, nonlicensed kinship placements, group homes or other placements.
(i) The number of runaway children who have returned during the reporting period.
2. For abducted children, all of the following:
(a) The number of individual children who were on abducted status on the last day of the prior reporting period.
(b) The number of children who were abducted during the current reporting period.
(c) The number of children returned to care during the current reporting period from abducted status.
(d) The number of individual children on abducted status on the last day of the current reporting period.
(e) Of total care days during the reporting period, the percentage of care days associated with children on abducted status.
(f) The number of children who were on abducted status on the last day of the reporting period by categories of length of time on current abducted status and by age.
B. The department shall do both of the following:
1. Make the information prescribed in subsection A of this section available within ninety days after the end of the reporting period.
2. Notify the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and the governor each time the information prescribed in subsection A of this section is made available.
C. For the purposes of this section:
1. " Abducted child" means a child who is taken, enticed or kept from the lawful custody of the department or who another person intentionally fails or refuses to return or impedes the immediate return to the department.
2. " Care days" means the total number of days spent in out-of-home care for each child who was in care for at least twenty-four hours during the current reporting period.
3. " Individual children" means the count of children without counting the same child more than once.
4. " Runaway status" means the status of a child who has voluntarily and without consent left the placement location for at least twenty-four hours without the intent to return.