The House Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs heard HB 1198 authored by Rep. Frizzell on Department of Child Services matters. The bill defines “child”, for purposes of filing a petition to terminate a parent-child relationship involving a delinquent child or child in need of services, as an individual who is less than 18 years of age. The bill also updates the list of … [Read more...] about Department of Child Services matters
Juvenile
Department of Child Services
The Senate Family & Children Services Committee heard SB 1 authored by Sen. Houchin on the Department of Child Services (DCS). The bill would make several changes: All decisions made by DCS or the courts shall be made in consideration of the best interests of the child or children concerned. DCS would be required to make diligent efforts to identify all adult relatives and … [Read more...] about Department of Child Services
Substance abuse prevention grant programs
The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard SB 111 authored by Sen. Koch on substance abuse prevention grant programs. The bill creates a $100,000 grant program for community and faith-based substance abuse prevention programs as well as a $50,000 grant program for community and faith-based substance abuse prevention transportation assistance. An associate pastor from … [Read more...] about Substance abuse prevention grant programs
Court appointed youth advocate pilot program
The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard SB 423 authored by Sen. Bohacek on a court appointed youth advocate pilot program. The proposed program would give the court the ability to appoint a court appointed youth advocate for a child in a delinquency case post-adjudication. The advocate’s purpose is to provide counseling, tutoring, mentoring, positive role modeling, a … [Read more...] about Court appointed youth advocate pilot program
Child victim of human or sexual trafficking
The House Committee on Family, Children and Human Affairs heard Rep. Engleman’s HB 1075 regarding child victims of human or sexual trafficking. This bill as filed would eliminate the requirement that the child admit or deny being a victim of human or sexual trafficking during an initial hearing on a child in need of services petition. The committee adopted one amendment by consent t … [Read more...] about Child victim of human or sexual trafficking