MS SB2493

Creates the Supporting and Strengthening Families Act allowing parents or legal custodians to delegate care and custody of children to another person through a notarized power of attorney, excluding decisions on marriage, adoption, abortion, and parental rights termination.

Limits initial delegation period to one (1) year, except for military parents ("serving parents") on active duty who may extend up to the duration of active duty plus thirty (30) days.

Requires criminal history and child abuse/neglect background checks on designated attorneys-in-fact who are not grandparents, aunts, uncles, or siblings, and mandates the power of attorney be facilitated by licensed child welfare agencies or charitable organizations operating under the Safe Families for Children model.

Exempts children placed under this power of attorney from foster care licensing requirements and out-of-home placement regulations, and prevents such placement from constituting abandonment or parental unfitness absent other evidence.

Amends child protective investigation procedures to require provision of information about community service programs for respite care, voluntary guardianship, and family support services when investigations do not result in out-of-home placement.