The bill S. 858 aims to amend various sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws related to the foster care review system. Key changes include the establishment of a new structure for the Division for Review of the Foster Care of Children, which will now be known as the Foster Care Review Division, supported by a board of seven members appointed by the Governor. The bill also modifies the terms of office for board members, allowing them to serve four-year terms with specific provisions for filling vacancies. Additionally, it grants the Department of Children's Advocacy the authority to set standards for local review boards and requires the department to provide administrative assistance for local board meetings.

Further amendments include the Director's authority to appoint or remove members of local boards, the requirement for the Department to provide training to local review board members, and the clarification that all public agencies providing services to children in foster care must cooperate with the review process. The bill emphasizes the need for local boards to conduct meetings within their judicial circuits and outlines the conditions under which local board members may be removed. Overall, these changes aim to enhance the oversight and effectiveness of the foster care system in South Carolina.

Statutes affected:
01/28/2026: 63-11-700, 63-11-710, 63-11-740, 63-11-760, 63-11-770
Latest Version: 63-11-700, 63-11-710, 63-11-740, 63-11-760, 63-11-770