Committee adopts amendment to update Foster Parent Bill of Rights, then tables HB256 for further drafting

At a meeting of the Georgia House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, members considered HB256 (Substitute LC481686S), a measure the sponsor described as an update to the Foster Parent Bill of Rights to reflect modern foster-care arrangements such as relative caregivers, private agency placements and fictive kin.

Representative Gullett, the bill's sponsor, said the substitute mirrors language previously approved by the Senate in 2023 and the House in 2024 and that it "recognizes those caregivers as essential partners and ensures they are treated consistently and fairly." He described the measure as clarifying caregiver rights on communication, training, case-plan participation and the reasonable and prudent parent standard, while adding explicit protections against retaliation and a clear administrative grievance process.

The sponsor walked the committee through the bill's provisions by line, saying the substitute creates and defines a certified volunteer advocate (lines 18–20), expands the definition of foster parent to include relative caregivers and fictive kin (lines 22–24), and requires that foster parents receive a copy of a child's case plan (lines 88–89). He said the measure does not change judicial custody authority or impose new services or spending.

Regina Quick, general counsel and deputy commissioner for the Department of Human Services — which includes the Division of Family and Children Services — advised the committee to address statutory confidentiality limits in Title 49 if volunteers are to receive information that is typically protected. "If you anticipate that the volunteer advocate will be in meetings where confidential information is expected to be discussed or disclosed, there may also need to be an exception for that advocate," Quick said, urging the committee to align any new language with existing code provisions.

Quick also warned that redefining "foster parent" could create legal and liability implications because the term carries specific meanings elsewhere in state law, including in the State Tort Claims Act. She suggested the committee consider using the term "foster placement" to include approved relatives and fictive kin while avoiding potential statutory confusion.

Committee members asked whether the bill offers procedural protections for foster parents facing allegations made during visits by birth parents. Representative Taylor pressed whether the measure protects foster parents from false reports; the sponsor noted the bill provides the right to request a certified volunteer advocate for meetings with the department, including administrative hearings, grievance and mediation processes and any meetings related to an allegation.

The sponsor proposed and the committee accepted an amendment that replaces references to "licensure" with language about the "approval status" of a foster home and clarifies the terminology for corrective action plans and standards. The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote; the chair announced the amendment passed.

Members continued to debate whether to replace the phrase "foster parent" with "foster placement" (line 22) and whether to add cross-references to Title 49 or other code sections to prevent unintended legal consequences. Legislative council said it would need time to vet and draft precise language that aligns with existing statutes and noted that some of the sponsor's edits had not been formally vetted in writing.

Representative Gullett moved to table the measure so legislative council could incorporate the drafting changes. The motion was seconded and the chair said the measure will be taken up at the committee's next meeting if it is available. The committee adjourned.

What happens next: Legislative council will prepare revised, vetted language on the definition and confidentiality exceptions; the committee has not yet taken a final vote on the bill itself and deferred further action to a future meeting.