MS HB1387

Expands kinship care payment eligibility to include adults related beyond the third degree, godparents, friends of the family, and others with strong familial bonds to the child, not just relatives within the third degree.

Allows the Department of Child Protection Services to continue making kinship care payments to relatives after relinquishing legal custody if the relative completed foster care training requirements.

Updates the definition of "fictive kin" to explicitly include adults related beyond the third degree, godparents, friends of the family, and those with strong familial bonds with the child.

Clarifies that kinship care payments are subject to specific legislative appropriation.

Effective date: July 1, 2025.