H.E.A. 1271, P.L. 81 Effective: July 1, 2016 Requires the department of child services (department) to notify the United States Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program (program) if a child of an active duty member of the military is the subject of a substantiated investigation of abuse or neglect. Requires the department to make the assessment report available to the program … [Read more...] about Child abuse matters
Family
Parenting coordinators
The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 250 sponsored by Rep. Koch and Rep. Cook on parenting coordinators. Author Sen. Buck introduced the bill which urges the Legislative Committee to assign the use of parenting coordinators to resolve custody and parenting conflicts to a summer study committee. The bill passed 10-0. Read the bill at … [Read more...] about Parenting coordinators
Department of Child Services matters
The House Judiciary Committee heard SB 305, sponsored by Rep. Frizzell and Rep. McNamara, on Department of Child Services matters. This bill makes a child who is a victim of human or sexual trafficking a new CHINS category, and adds a CHINS chapter for a child who lives in the same household as an adult who committed or charged with human or sexual trafficking. It also removes a … [Read more...] about Department of Child Services matters
Terminating the parent-child relationship
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1064, sponsored by Sen. Charbonneau, concerning terminating the parent-child relationship when the child is conceived during a rape. This bill extends to the parent who was the victim of the rape the opportunity to file a termination of parental rights (TPR) case against the alleged perpetrator of the rape. The juvenile or probate court would … [Read more...] about Terminating the parent-child relationship
No contact orders and battery
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard HB 1069, on no contact orders and battery. This bill permits the Department of Child Services (DCS) to file a petition for a no contact order on behalf of foster parents and their foster kids. The legislation also increases the penalty for battery against members of foster families from a Class B misdemeanor to a Level 6 felony. DCS spoke in f … [Read more...] about No contact orders and battery