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IN HB1343
Bill
Status
1/11/2018
Primary Sponsor
Ben Smaltz
Click for details
AI Summary
HB 1343 Summary
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Foster parents may file petitions seeking visitation rights with children placed in their care for at least 12 months, with courts entering decrees after hearings and retaining authority to modify visitation orders.
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The Department of Child Services must notify foster parents when the parent-child relationship is terminated for children who were in their care for at least 12 months.
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Courts may grant stepparents visitation rights if they establish a custodial and parental relationship with the child and prove visitation serves the child's best interest, with courts weighing the fit parent presumption against the stepparent's established relationship.
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Visitation rights granted to former foster parents survive subsequent adoption by stepparents or biological relatives (grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews).
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Effective July 1, 2018.
Legislative Description
Visitation with a child. Provides that a foster parent may file a petition seeking visitation rights with a child if the child was placed under the care and supervision of the foster parent for at least 12 months. Requires the court to enter a decree after holding a hearing. Allows the court to modify an order granting or denying visitation rights. Requires the department of child services to provide notification to a foster parent if the parent-child relationship of a child who was placed under the care and supervision of the foster parent for at least 12 months is terminated.
Last Action
First reading: referred to Committee on Judiciary
1/11/2018