General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 844
January Session, 2011 *_____SB00844KIDHS_021611____*
General Assembly
Substitute Bill No. 844
January Session, 2011
*_____SB00844KIDHS_021611____*
AN ACT ADOPTING A FOSTER PARENT BILL OF RIGHTS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2011) (a) There is established a foster parent bill of rights for any person who is licensed as a foster parent by the Department of Children and Families. The foster parent bill of rights shall require the department to:
(1) Treat the foster parent with consideration and respect;
(2) Notify the foster parent of meetings scheduled by the department concerning the foster child in order to allow the foster parent to actively participate and have input into the case-planning and decision-making process regarding the foster child;
(3) Provide the foster parent with support services to assist in the care of the foster child that are consistent with the foster child's approved permanency plan;
(4) Provide the foster parent with open, complete and timely responses to requests;
(5) Provide the foster parent with information concerning the foster child's medical history, general behavior and relationships with other foster parents, as permitted under state and federal law;
(6) Provide the foster parent with information concerning the educational history, life experiences and placement circumstances of the foster child, as permitted under state and federal law;
(7) Provide the foster parent with information on all department policies and procedures that relate to the role of a foster parent;
(8) Provide the foster parent with appropriate training to enhance relevant skills and abilities of the foster parent;
(9) Provide the foster parent with (A) information on services that are available through the department, and (B) contact information that allows the foster parent to contact the department at any time;
(10) Provide the foster parent with an opportunity to be heard regarding department decisions and practices, and not retaliate against a foster parent who questions or appeals a decision or practice of the department; and
(11) Provide the foster parent with a copy of the foster parent bill of rights (A) when a child is placed in foster care with the foster parent, and (B) upon request of the foster parent.
(b) No provision of this section shall create a private right of action for any person.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1 October 1, 2011 New section
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1
October 1, 2011
New section
KID Joint Favorable Subst. C/R HS
KID
Joint Favorable Subst. C/R
HS