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HCS/HB 1414 - Under this act, the Children's Division shall include a standard risk assessment completed within 72 hours of a hotline report of child abuse or neglect within its structured decision-making protocols. The Director of the Division and the Office of State Courts Administrator shall develop a joint safety assessment tool before December 31, 2020, and such tool shall be implemented before January 1, 2022. The tool shall replace the standard risk assessment required under current state law. Additionally, the Division shall not require foster parents to conduct supervised visits or be present during any supervised visits between a foster child and the child's siblings or biological family. Finally, the juvenile court, in compliance with all federal guidelines and after considering all information provided by the Division and input from a child's family support team, shall order the child to appear in court only: (1) if necessary to make a decision; and (2) after considering the appropriateness of the courtroom environment for the child and the hardship to be endured by the child and current guardians regarding disruptions of regular activities. SARAH HASKINS
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