Bill S. 415 seeks to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to improve the adoption and foster care processes, particularly for kinship placements. 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 without the need for certain investigations unless ordered by the court. The bill also lowers the minimum age for kinship foster parents from twenty-one to eighteen, enabling younger relatives to become licensed foster parents, and allows the Department of Social Services to apply different licensing standards for relatives and fictive kin.

Additionally, the bill permits the placement of children with unlicensed relatives or fictive kin if it is in the child's best interest, as long as the relative or fictive kin begins the licensing process promptly. It ensures that these caregivers have the same legal status and access to services as licensed providers during this process. The bill also allows for placements with kin or fictive kin who have past criminal convictions under specific conditions, while maintaining that safety elements like background checks cannot be waived. Overall, these amendments aim to facilitate kinship care and adoption, ensuring children can remain connected to their family networks.

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