SB 247 Summary

• Implements federal "reasonable and prudent parent standard" allowing caregivers to make day-to-day decisions for foster youth regarding extracurricular, cultural, and social activities without prior DSCYF or court approval.

• Prohibits "Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement" as a permanency plan for children under age 16 and requires specific court findings for youth age 16 and older with this plan.

• Requires DSCYF to provide annual training to licensed caregivers and training upon placement to non-licensed caregivers on the reasonable and prudent parent standard, including trauma-informed parenting and healthy sexual development.

• Grants youth age 14 and older the right to actively participate in developing their service and case plans, select two non-staff advisors to assist with planning, and receive their rights explained in age-appropriate manner with written acknowledgement.

• Provides liability protection to caregivers for harm from approved activities provided they completed required training and acted without gross or wanton negligence, so long as approval did not conflict with court orders or service plans.