DCS; policies; procedures
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill makes changes to policies and procedures within the Department of Child Safety (DCS) regarding the representation of children involved in dependency and termination of parental rights cases. It updates rules about appointing attorneys for children, particularly focusing on substituted judgment when a child’s attorney cannot adequately represent their wishes. The bill also clarifies how the DCS should identify and utilize federal benefits for children in care, and establishes requirements for notifying individuals about potential abuse or neglect allegations and for documenting efforts to locate missing children. Finally, it mandates reporting requirements for county offices representing children in dependency cases.
Key provisions
- Updates rules for appointing attorneys for children in dependency and termination of parental rights cases, including the use of substituted judgment.
- Clarifies the DCS’s responsibilities for identifying and applying for federal benefits for children in care.
- Establishes procedures for notifying individuals about alleged abuse or neglect and for documenting efforts to locate missing children.
- Requires county offices to report on their attorneys and the children they represent.
- Modifies the process for requesting and holding administrative hearings regarding allegations of child abuse or neglect.
- Updates requirements for notifying individuals about substantiated reports of child abuse or neglect.
- Addresses the process for amending or updating information regarding a child's case.
- Outlines specific reporting requirements for county offices regarding attorney workload and case assignments.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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