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Committee advances bill to shorten timelines and allow courts to weigh foster-child bonds in permanency decisions
Summary
Senate Bill 1090 was sent to the Senate floor with a due pass. The bill shortens review timelines and explicitly allows courts to consider the bond between a foster child and a substitute caregiver when deciding the child's best interest.
The committee voted to send Senate Bill 1090 to the Senate floor with a due pass. Sponsor Senator Cody Galloway said the bill amends the Child Protective Act to shorten custody review timelines and to explicitly allow judges to consider the bond a foster child forms with a substitute caregiver when determining the child's best interest.
A constituent, Natalie Baum, described her experience fostering two young children who suffered developmental delay and abuse and whose termination-of-parental-rights trial was delayed by court continuances for more than a year, leaving children in legal limbo. "The judge visibly frustrated stated that the system failed these kids and he would have to change the goal back to reunification," Baum told senators.
Senator Galloway said the bill reduces the timing for certain custody-review thresholds (from 15 of 22 months to 12 of 22 months in one provision) and adds three additional statutory best-interest factors, including the caregiver–child bond and the parent's demonstrated efforts and ability to live a law-abiding life. Supporters argued the changes would accelerate permanency reviews and reduce trauma and uncertainty for children while saving state foster-care costs.
Senator Shippey moved to send SB 1090 to the floor with a due pass; Senator Keiser seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.
