Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Child Welfare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate unanimously approves shorter timelines and consideration of foster-child bonds in child-protection hearings
Summary
Senate Bill 10-90 passed the Senate 35-0. The bill shortens review hearing timelines and alters custody timelines in the child-protection statutes to speed resolutions for foster children and allow courts to consider bonds formed with substitute caregivers.
The Idaho Senate on Feb. 25 unanimously passed Senate Bill 10-90, a change to child-protection timelines and factors considered in placement decisions that sponsors said will help move foster children to permanent homes more quickly.
Senator Galloway, the bill sponsor, said the measure responds to a constituent’s experience and aims to benefit foster children, biological parents and foster families. The bill would allow courts to consider the bond a foster child has formed with a substitute caretaker and would shorten review hearings from six months to two months, and custody timelines from 15 of 22 months to 12 of 22 months, as described on the floor.
Galloway said the changes will reduce case stagnation and allow more timely reunification or placement into stable, permanent homes. She said the changes were developed with input from foster families, the Department of Health and Welfare and court stakeholders.
Senator Shippey, who identified himself as a foster parent, spoke in support of the bill. Debate closed without amendment. The roll call showed 35 in favor with none opposed; the bill’s title was approved and the measure was transmitted to the House of Representatives.
