Assembly Bill 328 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, such as foster parents and group home operators. 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 out-of-home care provider prior to a permanency review or hearing. 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 information 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. This legislative change is intended to improve communication and collaboration between agencies and care providers, ultimately supporting better outcomes for children in out-of-home care.

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