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Committee advances foster‑child bill‑of‑rights rules; agencies outline how rights will be communicated
Summary
The Department of Children's Services presented rules implementing a statutory foster‑child bill of rights, describing required rights, grievance procedures, timing for notification (statutory 30 days; agency expects earlier notification at intake and monthly visits), and development of age‑appropriate materials with alumni input.
The Joint Government Operations Committee on June 17 considered rules from the Department of Children's Services to implement a foster‑child bill of rights enacted by the legislature.
Jim Layman, the department’s legislative director (speaker 17), said the rules enumerate rights that include access to education, a safe and healthy environment, medical, dental, vision and mental‑health services, and protection from certain restrictions; the rules also set procedures for informing children of rights and for filing grievances. "The rules include specific rights afforded to children that include the right to receive an education, to live in a safe and healthy environment, to receive medical, dental, vision, and mental health services," Layman said.
Committee members raised practical questions. Representative Ritch asked whether the phrase "go to school and receive an education that fits the child's individual needs" allows homeschooling; Layman and Sammy Mayfair (general counsel, speaker 18) answered yes, saying educational placement should be appropriate for the child. Representative Renaud asked whether a trusted person besides a foster parent — for example a social worker or guardian ad litem — could be present when the rights are conveyed; Mayfair explained rights are typically shared in a child and family team meeting (CFTM), where a guardian ad litem or CASA volunteer may be invited and the DCS case manager is responsible for providing the rights.
On timing, Layman said that although the statute sets a 30‑day deadline for informing children of rights, the department typically provides notice earlier at intake via a CFTM and again at the first in‑person monthly visit; agency staff also said they are developing age‑appropriate materials with foster‑care alumni and stakeholders and expect materials for age ranges (e.g., 0–5, 5–10) to be ready within months and more broadly by the end of the year.
Lawmakers also pressed why age 13 was chosen as a threshold for certain solo notifications; Mayfair said 13 is a policy choice aligned with juvenile practice and increasing child participation in proceedings. The committee moved the rules with a positive recommendation.
No public comment was recorded during the committee's consideration.
