SB95 Summary

• Allows kinship guardianship agreements to name a successor guardian who can assume care if the original kinship guardian dies or becomes incapacitated, with successor guardians having the same rights and responsibilities as kinship guardians.

• Defines "age or developmentally appropriate" activities and establishes a "reasonable and prudent parent standard" for caregivers to authorize foster children's participation in age-appropriate activities, with immunity from civil liability for caregivers acting in good faith under this standard.

• Lowers the age threshold from 16 to 14 years old for juvenile courts to consider and provide services to help foster children transition to independent living.

• Establishes successor guardianship appointment procedures requiring background checks, written agreements naming the successor guardian, and consultation with children age 14 or older regarding the arrangement.

• Makes kinship guardianship subsidy payments available to successor guardians and exempt from taxation, resource calculations for public benefits, and legal process such as garnishment or attachment.