This bill seeks to enhance the treatment and rights of minors in foster care, particularly regarding their access to behavioral and mental health services. A significant change allows minors aged 16 and older to consent to their own treatment under specific conditions where parental consent is not required. It also establishes criteria for recognizing unaccompanied homeless minors, enabling them to consent to medical services. The introduction of "treatment foster homes" aims to provide specialized care for children with unique needs, while the Department of Family and Community Services is tasked with ensuring the well-being of children in state custody through regular reviews and communication regarding treatment decisions.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws to improve the framework for short-term psychiatric care for children in need of aid. A new section allows the Department of Family and Community Services to seek psychiatric care for children in non-residential treatment hospitals, with requirements for timely notification of relevant parties and court reviews of placements. The legislation mandates ongoing trauma-informed care training for foster parents in treatment foster homes and includes provisions for the Department of Health to amend the state Medicaid plan to support these changes, with certain provisions set to take effect on January 1, 2026, pending federal approval.

Statutes affected:
HB0036A, AM HB 36, introduced 01/10/2025: 47.10.087, 47.30.915, 47.10.080, 47.10.142, 47.14.112, 18.05.020
HB0036B, AM SCS HB 36(HSS), introduced 05/14/2025: 47.10.087, 47.10.080, 47.10.142, 47.30.915, 47.32.900, 47.14.112, 18.05.020, 47.10.990
HB0036C, AM SCS HB 36(JUD), introduced 05/16/2025: 12.62.400, 47.05.310, 47.32.010, 25.20.025, 18.16.010, 14.30.174, 47.30.915, 47.07.020, 47.32.900, U.S.C, 25.23.190, 25.23.210, 47.10.084, 25.20.028, 47.10.087, 47.10.080, 47.10.142, 47.10.990, 47.12.150, 47.14.010, 47.14.110, 47.14.112, 18.05.020, 47.14.115, 47.14.900, 47.32.032, 47.10.141, 47.10.105