MS SB2465

Deletes provisions authorizing "durable legal custody" as a permanency option for children in youth court proceedings and replaces it with "durable legal relative guardianship"

Establishes durable legal relative guardianship as available only to relatives or fictive kin licensed as foster parents who have had physical custody of the child for at least six months with Department of Child Protection Services supervision

Requires youth court to find that reunification is inappropriate, the guardian shows full commitment to the child's care, and consult with children age 12 or older before granting durable legal relative guardianship

Removes annual review and disposition review hearing requirements for durable legal relative guardianship cases, but requires the Department of Child Protection Services to conduct annual recertification and allows petitions to modify if material changes occur

Takes effect July 1, 2025