Bill Text: CT SB00353 | 2010 | General Assembly | Comm Sub


Bill Title: An Act Adopting A Foster Parent Bill Of Rights.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2010-04-22 - House Calendar Number 421 [SB00353 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2010-SB00353-Comm_Sub.html

General Assembly

 

Substitute Bill No. 353

February Session, 2010

 

*_____SB00353JUD___041310____*

AN ACT ADOPTING A FOSTER PARENT BILL OF RIGHTS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2010) (a) There is established a foster parent bill of rights for any person who is licensed as a foster parent by the Department of Children and Families. The foster parent bill of rights shall require the department to:

(1) Treat foster parents with consideration and respect;

(2) Notify the foster parent of meetings scheduled by the department concerning the foster child in order to allow the foster parent to actively participate and have input into the case-planning and decision-making process regarding the foster child;

(3) Provide the foster parent with support services to assist in the care of the foster child that are consistent with the foster child's approved permanency plan;

(4) Provide the foster parent open, complete and timely responses to requests;

(5) Provide the foster parent with timely information concerning the foster child's medical history, general behavior and relationships with other foster parents, as permitted under state and federal law;

(6) Provide the foster parent with timely information concerning the educational history, life experiences and placement circumstances of the foster child, as permitted under state and federal law;

(7) Provide the foster parent information on all department policies and procedures that relate to the role of a foster parent;

(8) Provide the foster parent appropriate training to enhance relevant skills and abilities of the foster parent;

(9) Provide the foster parent (A) information on services that are available through the department, and (B) contact information that allows the foster parent to contact the department twenty-four hours, seven days a week;

(10) Provide an opportunity for the foster parent to be heard regarding department decisions and practices, and not retaliate against a foster parent who questions or appeals a decision or practice of the department;

(11) Provide the foster parent with notice of the right to petition the Superior Court as described in subsection (b) of this section; and

(12) Provide the foster parent a copy of the foster parent bill of rights when a child is placed in foster care with the foster parent and upon request of the foster parent.

(b) Any licensed foster parent aggrieved by a violation of this section may petition the Superior Court for the venue district provided in section 46b-142 of the general statutes within which the foster parent resides for appropriate relief, including temporary and permanent injunctive relief. Such petition shall be treated as a juvenile matter.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:

Section 1

October 1, 2010

New section

HS

Joint Favorable Subst.-LCO

 

JUD

Joint Favorable

 
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