AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

In order to ensure that children and youths to be placed in foster care are prepared, pre-placement visits and the provision of a placement summary form are required. However, this same practice is not mandated in the case of kinship placements, because familiarity is assumed when the placement is with a relative.  Unfortunately, despite the blood ties that children and youths may have with a kinship placement, they may not have had regular contact, and the potential caregiver may not be familiar with the child’s history. A pre-placement visit would allow an opportunity for both child and caregiver to determine whether the placement is appropriate. In addition, the placement summary form ensures that the caregiver is aware of all of the child’s medical, education, and behavioral issues and needs so these can be appropriately met. This information also ensures that the caregiver is aware of what will be required of him or her. Relatives are often not aware of a child’s history and experiences and accept a placement with very little information. The ability to prepare for a placement, both through a pre-placement visit and receipt of a placement summary form, can strengthen the stability of a placement.

 

S.B. 502 requires the Department of Family and Protective Services, before placing a child with a relative caregiver, to arrange a visit between a child and the caregiver and to provide that caregiver with a form containing information about the child's educational, medical, and social history and needs.  The form may be the same one given to nonrelative caregivers.

 

As proposed, S.B. 502 amends current law relating to procedures for the placement of children with certain relatives or other designated caregivers.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter I, Chapter 264, Family Code, by adding Section 264.7541, as follows:

 

Sec. 264.7541.  CAREGIVER VISIT WITH CHILD; INFORMATION.  Requires the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), before placing a child with a proposed relative or other designated caregiver, to:

 

(1)  arrange a visit between the child and the proposed caregiver; and

 

(2)  provide the proposed caregiver with a form, which may be the same form DFPS provides to nonrelative caregivers, containing information, to the extent it is available, about the child that would enhance continuity of care for the child, including:

 

(A)  the child's school information and educational needs;

 

(B)  the child's medical, dental, and mental health care information;

 

(C)  the child's social and family information; and

 

(D)  any other information about the child DFPS determines will assist the proposed caregiver in meeting the child's needs.

 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2013.