AR SB40

Courts may not specify a particular provider for foster child placement and must give preferential consideration to relatives and fictive kin who meet child protection standards and whose placement is in the child's best interest.

Department of Human Services must conduct immediate assessment to locate noncustodial parents, grandparents, siblings' parents, and fictive kin identified by the juvenile when a child is removed from home, and provide written notice of placement opportunities to those who pass background checks.

Relatives and fictive kin can place children provisionally for up to 6 months without becoming licensed foster homes, and may receive benefits like SNAP and child support during this period, but receive no board payments until becoming fully licensed.

If a relative or fictive kin's home is not fully licensed within 6 months, the department must either remove the child or the court must grant custody to the relative/fictive kin with restrictions on future department involvement.

Courts may order trial home placements with parents or previous caregivers for up to 60 days (extendable to 6 months with department approval), and must detail safety concerns in writing before denying placement with a parent.