The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard an amendment to SB 128 authored by Sen. Head on change of placement of a child in need of services (CHINS). At last week’s meeting, DCS testified against the bill, explaining that typically the Child and Family Team Meeting involves all parties, including foster parents, and that is when there is an opportunity for their voice t … [Read more...] about Change of placement of a child in need of services
children
Child support
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB 179 on child support, authored by Sen. Bray. The bill provides the following: incarceration of a parent may not be considered voluntary unemployment in determining an amount to be ordered for support of a child a court may modify the child support order, or approve a proposed modification, without holding a hearing if: (1) a petition to … [Read more...] about Child support
Required DCS notification for schools
The Senate Committee on Family and Children Services heard SB 135 authored by Sens. Bohacek and Zay on required DCS notification for schools. The bill (1) requires a law enforcement agency that participates in a child abuse or neglect assessment (assessment) involving a child who attends kindergarten through grade 12 to provide information to the department of child services (DCS) if … [Read more...] about Required DCS notification for schools
Maximum number of foster children
The Senate Committee on Family and Children Services heard SB 184 authored by Sens. Zay and Ford on the maximum number of foster children. The bill increases from five to six the number of children who may be supervised in a foster family home. Sen. Zay explained that as recently as 2011 the limit was eight children per home, which was then lowered to five, but many experienced fo … [Read more...] about Maximum number of foster children
Child neglect defense
S.E.A. 246, P.L. 263 Effective: July 1, 2017 Specifies under the safe haven law that it is a defense to a claim of neglect of a dependent if the individual left the child: (1) with a person who is an emergency medical services provider; or (2) in a newborn safety device that meets the specified requirements. Allows a newborn safety device that was installed on January 1, 2017, to … [Read more...] about Child neglect defense