(a) The director of the department of children, youth and families, pursuant to §§ 42-72-5(b)(7) and 42-72-5(b)(24), shall establish within the department a unit to license and monitor child-placing agencies, child caring agencies, foster and adoptive homes, and children's behavioral health programs to protect the health, safety and well being of children temporarily separated from or being cared for away from their natural families.
(b) Services for children requiring licensure under this chapter shall include all child placing agencies, child caring agencies, foster and adoptive homes, and children's behavioral health programs which offer services within the state, except as defined in § 42-72.1-5.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 254, § 5; P.L. 1986, ch. 274, § 5; P.L. 1988, ch. 560, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 376, art. 17, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 88, art. 4, § 21.