HB1742: Foster care; independent living services.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1742

Offered January 9, 2013
Prefiled January 8, 2013
A BILL to amend and reenact 63.2-905.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to foster care; independent living services.
Patron-- Brink

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That 63.2-905.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

63.2-905.1. Independent living services.

Local departments and licensed child-placing agencies may provide independent living services to any person between 18 and 21 years of age who is in the process of transitioning from foster care to self-sufficiency. Any person who was committed or entrusted to a local board or licensed child-placing agency may choose to discontinue receiving independent living services any time before his twenty-first birthday in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board. The local board or licensed child-placing agency shall restore independent living services at the request of that person provided that (i) the person has not yet reached 21 years of age and (ii) the person has entered into a written agreement, less than 60 180 days after independent living services have been discontinued, with the local board or licensed child-placing agency regarding the terms and conditions of his receipt of independent living services. Local departments that provide independent living services to persons between 18 and 21 years of age shall provide to any person who chooses to leave foster care or terminate independent living services before his twenty-first birthday written information about and counseling regarding the independent living services available to him should he choose to continue receiving services, the option for restoration of independent living services in accordance with this section following termination of independent living services, and the processes whereby independent living services may be restored should he choose to seek restoration of such services. Written notice of his the person's right to request restoration of independent living services in accordance with this section by including such written notice and information about the process for seeking restoration of independent living services shall be included in the person's transition plan. Such transition plan shall be created at least 90 days prior to the person's discharge from foster care. Local departments and licensed child-placing agencies may provide independent living services as part of the foster care services provided to any child 14 years of age or older. All independent living services shall be provided in accordance with regulations adopted by the board.