- Perfected -

SCS#2/SB 762 - This act modifies various provisions of the law relating to foster care and protective services for children.

SECTION 210.487 - The Children's Division will have the authority to conduct a search for full orders of protection using the automated court information system.

SECTION 210.542 - The Division shall provide standards and training for the licensing of prospective foster parents. The Division shall provide performance-based criteria for the evaluation of licensed foster parents.

SECTION 210.565 - The age of the child's relative shall not be the only factor that the Division takes into consideration when making placement decisions and recommendations to the court regarding the placement of the child with that relative. The Division must adhere to the Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C. 1915) when placing a Native American child in protective custody.

SECTION 210.760 - The Division must notify the child's parent or legal guardian that the child has been placed in foster care.

SECTION 210.762 - Prior to taking any action relating to the placement of a child, the Children's Division must arrange a team meeting. However in instances where the welfare of a child requires immediate or emergency placement, the Division may temporarily place a child in protective custody, but they must schedule a team meeting within seventy-two hours of the temporary placement.

The parent or legal guardian, the guardian ad litem, the juvenile officer, the Children's Division caseworker, the court-appointed-special-advocate, and any designee of the parent that has written authorization shall be notified and invited to participate in all team meetings. Team meetings may include any other persons who can assist the team in making the appropriate decisions on behalf of the child. At the conclusion of the meeting, all parties must sign a form provided by the Division that states that they are aware of the team's decision. Any dissenting views will be noted on the form and included in the child's case records.

SECTION 210.764 - The case records of a child in protective custody will be available for review by the parent or legal guardian of the child.

This act is similar to SCS/SB 430 (2003).

LORIE TOWE