SB 665 - This act modifies current law regarding diligent searches for grandparents or relatives when a child is removed from a home and is need of placement. This act further defines what a diligent search for relatives shall entail and what notice should be provided to any relatives found of their rights to become a foster parent for the child. Relatives shall have 30 days to respond to a notice in order to have preferential placement in accordance with current law. All diligent search efforts and placements shall be completed within 6 months of the child entering the custody of the state, unless the court determines otherwise by clear and convincing evidence. Finally, this act modifies preferential placement for relatives by removing the distinction between relatives in the third degree and other relatives and adding foster parents or kinship caregivers with whom a child has resided for 9 months or more in the definition of a relative.
This act is similar to provisions in the truly agreed to and finally passed CCS/HCS/SB 186 (2023) and SCS/HS/HCS/HBs 1108 & 1181 (2023).
SARAH HASKINS