Senate Bill 313 aims to enhance the process of providing permanency plans for children involved in child or juvenile protection proceedings by allowing agencies to share these plans with out-of-home care providers prior to permanency reviews or hearings. The bill introduces new provisions under sections 48.38 and 938.38, which permit agencies to provide a copy of the permanency plan and any written comments to the child's out-of-home care provider, such as foster parents or group home operators. Importantly, any confidential information must be redacted from the documents shared, ensuring compliance with federal and state confidentiality laws.

Additionally, the bill amends existing statutes to clarify the circumstances under which agencies can disclose records related to individuals in their care. Specifically, it modifies sections 48.78 and 938.78 to include the new provisions for sharing permanency plans with out-of-home care providers, while maintaining the requirement to protect sensitive information. The changes are set to take effect for permanency reviews or hearings that commence 30 days after the bill's effective date.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 48.78(2)(a), 48.78, 938.78(2)(a), 938.78