GA HB256

Renames the "Foster Parents Bill of Rights" to "Foster Placements Bill of Rights" and expands coverage to include relative caregivers (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, stepparents) and fictive kin, in addition to traditional foster parents.

Grants foster placements reasonable access to nonidentifying child records including abuse reports, social and medical history, psychological evaluations, educational records, and care plans, with agencies required to respond to requests within 14 days.

Establishes the right for foster placements to have a certified volunteer advocate (approved by the Office of the Child Advocate) present during investigations, department meetings, administrative hearings, and the grievance/mediation process.

Adds new rights including protection from retaliation for filing complaints, the right to seek independent legal counsel, the right to request mediation or administrative review of licensing decisions, and the right to use "reasonable and prudent parent" standards for children's activities.

Requires the Division of Family and Children Services and Office of the Child Advocate, with input from foster placement advocacy organizations, to develop grievance and administrative procedures by July 1, 2026.