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GA SB230
Bill
Status
Engrossed
3/6/2023
Primary Sponsor
Matt Brass
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AI Summary
- Expands the definition of "foster parent" under Georgia's Foster Parents Bill of Rights to include relative caregivers (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, stepparents, and others) and fictive kin who care for children in the custody of the Division of Family and Children Services
- Adds new rights including the right to use a reasonable and prudent parent standard for authorizing children's extracurricular and social activities, the right to be free from retaliation for filing complaints, and the right to seek independent legal counsel
- Strengthens investigation protections by granting foster parents the right to a fair, timely, and impartial investigation of licensure complaints, the opportunity to have a certified volunteer advocate present during investigations and all department meetings, and due process during investigations
- Requires the Division of Family and Children Services, the Office of the Child Advocate, and foster parent advocacy organizations to develop grievance, mediation, and administrative review procedures, published in departmental policy manuals and the Foster Parent Handbook no later than July 1, 2023
- Replaces specific references to the Adoptive and Foster Parent Association of Georgia with the broader term "foster parent advocacy organizations" and becomes effective upon the Governor's approval
Legislative Description
Programs and Protection for Children; foster parents bill of rights; revise provisions
Last Action
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/21/2024
Committee Referrals
Juvenile Justice3/7/2023
Children and Families2/23/2023
Full Bill Text
No bill text available