Kinship foster care; notice, family assessments. (HB2162)

Introduced By

Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-Woodbridge)

Description

Kinship foster care; notice; family assessments. Requires local boards of social services, when identifying foster care placement options, to (i) determine whether the child has any relatives who may be eligible to become a kinship foster parent, (ii) provide notice to such relatives of their potential eligibility to become a kinship foster parent, and (iii) explain to such relatives any opportunities they may have to participate in the placement and care of the child, including opportunities available through kinship foster care or kinship guardianship. The bill also requires local departments, when conducting a family assessment pursuant to a valid report of child abuse or neglect, to file a motion with the court for a preliminary protective order if the family agrees to a safety plan that includes a temporary diversion of the child to the care of a relative for a period longer than 60 days. In the event the child may not return home after 180 days, the bill requires the local department to petition the court for necessary services, which may include the removal of the child or his siblings from the home or the transfer of custody to the relative with whom the child resided pursuant to the temporary diversion. Read the Bill »

Outcome

History