Senate Amendment 3126
PAG LIN
1 1 Amend House File 753, as amended, passed, and
1 2 reprinted by the House, as follows:
1 3 #1. Page 1, line 22, by inserting after the word
1 4 <child.> the following: <In addition to the
1 5 requirements of this paragraph, information shall be
1 6 provided to a child's foster parent as required by
1 7 section 237.5B.>
1 8 #2. Page 2, line 5, by inserting after the word
1 9 <information.> the following: <In addition to the
1 10 requirements of this subsection, information shall be
1 11 provided to a child's foster parent as required by
1 12 section 237.5B.>
1 13 #3. Page 2, line 22, by inserting after the word
1 14 <information.> the following: <In addition to the
1 15 requirements of this subsection, information shall be
1 16 provided to a child's foster parent as required by
1 17 section 237.5B.>
1 18 #4. Page 3, line 7, by inserting after the word
1 19 <information.> the following: <In addition to the
1 20 requirements of this subsection, information shall be
1 21 provided to a child's foster parent as required by
1 22 section 237.5B.>
1 23 #5. Page 3, line 26, by inserting after the word
1 24 <information.> the following: <In addition to the
1 25 requirements of this section, information shall be
1 26 provided to a child's foster parent as required by
1 27 section 237.5B.>
1 28 #6. Page 3, by inserting after line 26 the
1 29 following:
1 30 <Sec. . NEW SECTION. 237.5B FOSTER PARENT
1 31 BILL OF RIGHTS.
1 32 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as
1 33 the "Foster Parent Bill of Rights".
1 34 2. Each individual licensed to provide child
1 35 foster care as a foster parent has the rights
1 36 enumerated in this section, including but not limited
1 37 to all of the following:
1 38 a. To be treated with dignity, respect, and
1 39 consideration as a professional member of the child
1 40 welfare team.
1 41 b. To be notified of and to be given appropriate
1 42 education and continuing education and training to
1 43 develop and enhance foster parenting skills.
1 44 c. To be informed about ways to contact the
1 45 department or the child=placing agency responsible for
1 46 the child's placement in order to receive information
1 47 and assistance to access supportive services for any
1 48 child in the foster parent's care.
1 49 d. To receive timely financial reimbursement for
1 50 providing foster care services.
2 1 e. To be notified of any costs or expenses for
2 2 which the foster parent may be eligible for
2 3 reimbursement.
2 4 f. To be provided a clear, written, and timely
2 5 explanation of the individual treatment and service
2 6 plan concerning the child in the foster parent's care.
2 7 g. To receive, at any time during which a child is
2 8 placed with the foster parent, additional or necessary
2 9 information that is relevant to the care of the child.
2 10 h. To be notified of scheduled review meetings,
2 11 permanency planning meetings, and special staffing
2 12 meetings concerning the foster child in order to
2 13 actively participate in the case planning and
2 14 decision=making process regarding the child.
2 15 i. To provide input concerning the plan of
2 16 services for the child and to have that input be given
2 17 full consideration in the same manner as information
2 18 presented by any other professional on the child
2 19 welfare team for the child.
2 20 j. To receive information concerning the number of
2 21 times a foster child has been moved to different
2 22 placements and the reasons why, and the names and
2 23 telephone numbers of previous foster parents if the
2 24 previous foster parents have authorized release of
2 25 that information.
2 26 k. To communicate with other professionals who
2 27 work with the foster child within the context of the
2 28 child welfare team including, but not limited to,
2 29 therapists, physicians, and teachers.
2 30 l. To be given, in a timely and consistent manner,
2 31 any information regarding the child and the child's
2 32 family that is pertinent to the care and needs of the
2 33 child and to the completion of a permanency plan for
2 34 the child.
2 35 m. To be given reasonable notice of any change in
2 36 or addition to the services provided to the child
2 37 pursuant to the child's individual treatment and
2 38 service plan.
2 39 n. To be given written notice of both of the
2 40 following:
2 41 (1) The existence of any plans to terminate the
2 42 placement of the child with the foster parent.
2 43 (2) The reasons for the termination of the
2 44 placement.
2 45 o. To be notified by the department in a timely
2 46 and complete manner of all court hearings, including
2 47 notice of the date and time of any court hearing, the
2 48 name of the judge or hearing officer hearing the case,
2 49 the location of the hearing, and the court docket
2 50 number of the case.
3 1 p. To be informed of decisions made concerning the
3 2 child by the court, the department, or the child=
3 3 placing agency responsible for the child's placement.
3 4 q. To be considered as a preferred placement
3 5 option when a foster child who was formerly placed
3 6 with the foster parent is to reenter foster care at
3 7 the same level and type of care, if that placement is
3 8 consistent with the best interest of the child and
3 9 other children in the foster parent's home.
3 10 r. To be provided a fair, timely, and impartial
3 11 investigation of complaints concerning the foster
3 12 parent.
3 13 s. To be provided the opportunity to request and
3 14 receive a fair and impartial hearing regarding
3 15 decisions that affect retention or placement of
3 16 children in the individual's home.
3 17 t. To be allowed the right to exercise parental
3 18 substitute authority.
3 19 u. To have timely access to the department's and
3 20 child=placing agency's appeals process and the right
3 21 to be free from acts of harassment and retaliation by
3 22 any other party when exercising the right to appeal.
3 23 v. To file a grievance and be informed of the
3 24 process for filing a grievance.
3 25 3. The department and any child=placing agency
3 26 under contract with the department is responsible for
3 27 implementing this section.
3 28 4. This section shall not be construed to create a
3 29 private right of action or claim on the part of any
3 30 individual, the department, or an agency.>
3 31 #7. Title page, line 1, by inserting after the
3 32 word <Act> the following: <relating to requirements
3 33 involving children removed from the children's homes
3 34 by>.
3 35 #8. Title page, line 3, by inserting after the
3 36 word <child> the following: <and establishing a
3 37 foster parent bill of rights>.
3 38 #9. By renumbering as necessary.
3 39
3 40
3 41
3 42 KEITH A. KREIMAN
3 43 HF 753.701 81
3 44 jp/gg/696
-1-