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House approves expedited child-welfare procedures to help keep families together
Summary
House Bill 133 passed the House 63-0 to add an option for DCFS to extend services and hearings within 72 hours to try to keep families intact; sponsor Representative Bennion said the bill coordinates with Senate Bill 128 and had support from the Attorney General and DCFS.
The Utah House unanimously approved House Bill 133 on Feb. 27, 2003, a measure intended to provide child-welfare agencies with additional options to keep families together when children are at risk.
Representative Bennion, sponsor of HB 133, told the House the bill adjusts procedures so that services and hearings can be delivered in a way that helps keep children with their families where safe and appropriate. The bill changes hearing timelines so that decisions occur within 72 hours in relevant cases and coordinates with Senate Bill 128 to eliminate any duplicative fiscal note. Bennion said the division (DCFS) and the Attorney General's office support the bill.
Representative Wallace questioned how the bill applies to families already in shelter; Bennion explained that if a family is already in a protected shelter, the bill would not necessarily require removal and instead provides DCFS more latitude to extend services and support so the family can stay together.
The House recorded the passage of HB 133 with 63 yes votes and 0 no votes; the bill will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.
