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Senator introduces RS32351 to shorten review and custody timelines in child-protective code
Summary
Sen. Cody Galloway introduced RS32351 to reduce the interval between review hearings from six months to two months, shorten custody timeline language from 15 of 22 months to 12 of 22 months, and allow judges to consider bonds formed between foster children and caretakers; the committee voted to send the RS to print.
Sen. Cody Galloway, R-15, brought RS32351 to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee seeking changes to the child-protective code intended to speed permanent placements for children in foster care.
Galloway said the request was prompted by a constituent who is a foster parent and described the bill as containing three specific changes: shortening the time between review hearings from six months to two months; altering custody-timeline language from “15 of 22 months” to “12 of 22 months;” and adding language that permits judges to consider the bond a foster child has formed with a substitute caretaker when evaluating long-term placement.
Galloway told the committee he had sought input from foster families, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the Ada County courthouse while drafting the request. He said the change is intended to get every foster child into a stable, permanent home more quickly, whether reunification with biological parents or adoption.
Senator Keiser moved to send RS32351 to print; Senator Seiferfeld seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. The introduction places the proposal into the drafting/printing stage; details of statutory language and any fiscal or implementation analysis will appear in the printed bill and in future committee hearings.
