HB2571 Summary

• Reduces the maximum number of unrelated children in foster family homes from 8 to 6, unless children are of common parentage

• Allows the Director of Children and Family Services to waive the numerical limitation for parenting youth in foster care, sibling placements, children with established relationships, or families with special training for children with severe disabilities

• Requires quality of care concerns applicants to submit a preliminary application before licensure, including documentation of prior child removals and investigation of complaints, abuse, and neglect history

• Adds requirement for at least one relative reference for foster family home applicants in addition to three unrelated references

• Establishes court reporting and hearing requirements for children placed in qualified residential treatment programs within 35 days, with ongoing assessment of placement appropriateness at status and permanency hearings