SB 1315 Summary

• Establishes kinship foster care services for children removed from their homes, prioritizing placement with relatives or individuals with significant relationships to the child.

• Requires kinship foster care parent applicants to be at least 18 years old and undergo fingerprint background checks, home visits, and interviews to determine ability to meet the child's needs.

• Provides kinship foster care parents with monthly stipends of $250 per child, in addition to eligibility for foster care benefits and temporary assistance for needy families programs.

• Mandates the department provide nonfinancial services including family assessment, case management, child day care, parenting skills training, respite services, and emergency services.

• Requires written denial notification within 15 business days if placement is deemed not in the child's best interest, including specific reasons and appeal procedures.