This bill amends several sections of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska related to children and families, specifically focusing on the notification process following the removal of a child from their home. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to notify not only adult relatives but also fictive kin—defined as adults who have a significant relationship with the child but are not related by blood, marriage, or adoption—about the child's removal. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the department to identify and locate these individuals and provide them with information regarding their options for participating in the child's care and placement.

Additionally, the bill redefines certain terms, including "fictive kin," and clarifies the notification process to ensure that all relevant parties are informed within a specified timeframe. It also harmonizes existing provisions related to foster care licensure and repeals the original sections that are being amended. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the support network for children in foster care by ensuring that both relatives and fictive kin are included in the notification and potential placement processes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 43-1311, 43-1311.01, 71-1901