MI SB0798

Establishes the Safe Families for Children Act allowing parents or guardians to temporarily delegate care, custody, or property powers of minor children via power of attorney for up to 180 days (or until 31 days after military deployment ends).

Requires criminal history records checks through state police and FBI, with fingerprints retained in automated systems that provide automatic notification of subsequent criminal matches or history updates for all adults over 18 in host homes.

Mandates family service agencies conduct initial home safety assessments including physical inspection, financial ability review, and three unrelated references, with reassessments every two years and weekly inspections during the first month a child is hosted.

Requires training for host families based on national models covering child maltreatment identification, grief and loss, behavior management, safety, and child-specific needs before any child placement.

Prohibits compensation for temporary caregivers, exempts participants from foster care licensing regulations, and shields the Department of Health and Human Services from liability; act takes effect March 20, 2019, contingent on passage of SB 489, SB 490, and SB 797.