The proposed bill would update current statutes by introducing new requirements for the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to ensure an adequate number of licensed foster homes that cater to the diverse needs of children in care. Specifically, it would require DCS to establish a minimum number of licensed foster homes, categorize them based on the specific needs of foster children, and report progress on maintaining these minimums to legislative leaders annually. Additionally, the bill would mandate the development of individualized plans for children placed in congregate care settings within 30 days and prohibit licensed behavioral health facilities from denying placement to foster children under certain conditions. Moreover, the bill would add members with personal experience in foster care to the Foster Youth Permanency Project Team, allow the team to contract with nonprofit organizations that have a successful track record in achieving permanency for at-risk youth, and define terms such as "congregate care," "medically complex child," and "placement agency". It would also remove the requirement for a licensed group foster home to have a trained staff member for administering medication before placement and require such homes to develop policies for medication management. Overall, these updates aim to enhance the support and resources available for foster children, particularly those with special needs, while improving oversight and accountability in the foster care system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-469.02, 8-509, 8-509.02, 8-526, 8-530.08, 8-521.02, 8-503, 41-1758.07, 8-515.03, 13-3623.01, 8-516, 8-530.04, 8-201
Senate Engrossed Version: 8-469.02, 8-505, 8-509, 8-509.02, 8-526, 8-530.08, 36-425.06, 36-550.05, 8-521.02, 39-121.01, 8-503, 41-1758.07, 8-515.03, 13-3623.01, 8-516, 8-530.04, 8-201, 36-550.09, 13-4521
House Engrossed Version: 8-469.02, 8-505, 8-509, 8-509.02, 8-526, 8-530.08, 36-418.01, 36-550.05, 8-521.02, 39-121.01, 8-503, 41-1758.07, 8-515.03, 13-3623.01, 8-516, 8-530.04, 8-201
Chaptered Version: 8-469.02, 8-505, 8-509, 8-509.02, 8-526, 8-530.08, 36-418.01, 36-550.05, 8-521.02, 39-121.01, 8-503, 41-1758.07, 8-515.03, 13-3623.01, 8-516, 8-530.04, 8-201