Senate Bill 625 Summary

• Establishes one-year timeline for placing removed juveniles in safe, permanent homes, aligning with the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.

• Expands definition of abused and neglected juveniles to include exposure to illegal substances or controlled substance violations in utero and adds parental substance abuse treatment as a mitigating factor in custody decisions.

• Implements Regional Abuse and Medical Specialist (RAMS) program with specific case criteria focusing on children under 4 with unexplained injuries, sexually transmitted infections, or medically complex issues; requires county director approval of RAMS recommendations and grants parents access to all RAMS documentation.

• Requires county, regional, and consolidated human services board members to complete education and training sessions during their first year of service by March 1, 2025, including information on board liabilities.

• Creates private cause of action for individuals harmed by Department of Health and Human Services programs operating without proper rulemaking, allowing recovery of court costs and attorney's fees; establishes Joint Legislative Oversight Committee to study foster ombudsman programs, child welfare policies, and department compliance with rulemaking requirements.