The proposed bill seeks to update current statutes regarding kinship foster care placements by expanding the definition of eligible caregivers to include extended family members, defined as a grandparent or an adult with a biological connection to the child. It would require that these extended family members be included in all investigations and proceedings related to identifying kinship placements and mandate the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to file a report with the court every 30 days for at least six months on their efforts to locate such placements. Additionally, the bill would modify the rights of foster children to include the right to be placed with a kinship caregiver when it is in their best interest and require the court to order placement with a kinship caregiver within 48 hours after an initial dependency hearing if such placement is available. These updates aim to enhance the support and stability of children in DCS custody by prioritizing placements with extended family members. The bill emphasizes the importance of thorough searches for relatives or extended family members and ensures that documentation of these efforts is filed with the court regularly. Overall, the proposed changes are designed to strengthen the connection between children and their families, promoting a more supportive environment during challenging times.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-501, 8-514.03, 8-514.07, 8-529, 8-801, 8-824, 8-842, 8-509, 36-593.01, 8-821, 8-806, 8-521.01, 41-1750, 92-544, 13-705, 8-548, 8-521.02, 41-1376, 8-845, 8-823, 8-481, 8-841
House Engrossed Version: 8-501, 8-514.03, 8-514.07, 8-529, 8-801, 8-824, 8-842, 8-509, 36-593.01, 8-821, 8-806, 8-521.01, 41-1750, 92-544, 13-705, 8-548, 8-521.02, 41-1376, 8-845, 8-823, 8-481, 8-841
Senate Engrossed Version: 8-501, 8-514.03, 8-514.07, 8-529, 8-801, 8-824, 8-842, 8-509, 36-593.01, 8-821, 8-806, 8-521.01, 41-1750, 92-544, 8-548, 8-521.02, 41-1376, 8-845, 8-823, 8-481, 8-841