HB 22-1231: Foster Parent Bill of Rights

• Establishes a bill of rights for foster parents including the right to be treated with dignity and respect as team members contributing to child welfare system objectives.

• Grants foster parents the right to receive training and support from state and county departments, timely financial reimbursement, after-hours contact information, and clear descriptions of placement plans.

• Allows foster parents to request necessary information about a child's physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, and trauma-related needs from mental health, medical, educational, and family services records subject to applicable confidentiality laws.

• Provides foster parents the right to reasonable notice of changes to case plans or placement terminations, court proceeding information, and notification if a previously-cared-for foster child reenters the system.

• Permits foster parents to file grievances through existing licensing authority processes if their rights are violated, except rights do not apply to foster parents who jeopardize child safety or face criminal charges for child abuse, sexual offenses, or felonies.