The bill S. 415 seeks to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to improve the framework for kinship foster care and adoption. Key changes include the addition of the term "licensed" in Section 63-7-20, which clarifies the approval process for caregivers, and modifications to Section 63-9-1110 that allow for the adoption of children placed with relatives or fictive kin by waiving certain requirements unless directed by the court. The bill also lowers the minimum age for kinship foster parents from twenty-one to eighteen in Section 63-7-2320, enabling younger relatives to become licensed foster parents under specific conditions.

Moreover, the bill introduces flexibility in licensing standards, allowing the Department of Social Services to apply different criteria for relatives and fictive kin compared to non-relatives, while ensuring that safety elements like background checks remain mandatory. It permits the placement of children with unlicensed relatives or fictive kin if it serves the child's best interests, provided they begin the licensing process promptly. The bill also clarifies that children may be placed with caregivers who have certain past criminal convictions under specific conditions and removes limitations on therapeutic foster care placements for kinship care. The act will take effect upon the Governor's approval.

Statutes affected:
03/04/2025: 63-7-20, 63-9-1110, 63-7-2320, 63-7-2350, 63-7-2400
03/26/2025: 63-7-20, 63-9-1110, 63-7-2320, 63-7-2350, 63-7-2400
03/28/2025: 63-7-20, 63-9-1110, 63-7-2320, 63-7-2350, 63-7-2400
Latest Version: 63-7-20, 63-9-1110, 63-7-2320, 63-7-2350, 63-7-2400