ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS.

§49-1-206. Definitions related, but not limited to, child advocacy, care, residential, and treatment programs.

When used in this chapter, terms defined in this section have the meanings ascribed to them that relate to, but are not limited to, child advocacy, care, residential, and treatment programs, except in those instances where a different meaning is provided or the context in which the word used clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended.

“Child Advocacy Center (CAC)” means a community-based organization that is a member in good standing with the West Virginia Child ~~Abuse~~ Advocacy Network, Inc., as set forth in §49-3-101 of this code.

“Child care” means responsibilities assumed and services performed in relation to a child’s physical, emotional, psychological, social, and personal needs and the consideration of the child’s rights and entitlements, but does not include secure detention or incarceration under the jurisdiction of the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation pursuant to §49-2-901 et seq. of this code. It includes the provision of child care services or residential services.

“Child care center” means a facility maintained by the state or any county or municipality thereof, or any agency or facility maintained by an individual, firm, corporation, association, or organization, public or private, for the care of 13 or more children for child care services in any setting, if the facility is open for more than 30 days per year per child.

“Child care services” means direct care and protection of children during a portion of a 24- hour day outside of the child’s own home which provides experiences to children that foster their healthy development and education.

“Child placing agency” means a child welfare agency organized for the purpose of placing children in private family homes for foster care or for adoption. The function of a child placing agency may include the investigation and certification of foster family homes and foster family group homes as provided in this chapter. The function of a child placing agency may also include the supervision of children who are 16 or 17 years old and living in unlicensed residences.

“Child welfare agency” means any agency or facility maintained by the state or any county or municipality thereof, or any agency or facility maintained by an individual, firm, corporation, association, or organization, public or private, to receive children for care and maintenance or for placement in residential care facilities, including, without limitation, private homes or any facility that provides care for unmarried mothers and their children. A child welfare agency does not include juvenile detention facilities or juvenile correctional facilities operated by or under contract with the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, pursuant to §49-2-901 et seq. of this code, nor any other facility operated by that division for the secure housing or holding of juveniles committed to its custody.

“Community based” means a facility, program, or service located near the child’s home or family and involving community participation in planning, operation, and evaluation and which may include, but is not limited to, medical, educational, vocational, social, and psychological guidance, training, special education, counseling, substance abuse, and any other treatment or rehabilitation services.

“Community-based juvenile probation sanctions” means any of a continuum of nonresidential accountability measures, programs, and sanctions in response to a technical violation of probation, as part of a system of community-based juvenile probation sanctions and incentives, that may include, but are not limited to:

(A) Electronic monitoring;

(B) Drug and alcohol screening, testing, or monitoring;

(D) Reporting and supervision requirements;

(E) Community service; and

(F) Rehabilitative interventions such as family counseling, substance abuse treatment, restorative justice programs, and behavioral or mental health treatment.

“Community services” means nonresidential prevention or intervention services or programs that are intended to reduce delinquency and future court involvement.

“Evidence-based practices” means policies, procedures, programs, and practices demonstrated by research to reliably produce reductions in the likelihood of reoffending.

“Facility” means a place or residence, including personnel, structures, grounds, and equipment used for the care of a child or children on a residential or other basis for any number of hours a day in any shelter or structure maintained for that purpose. Facility does not include any juvenile detention facility or juvenile correctional facility operated by or under contract with the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation for the secure housing or holding of juveniles committed to its custody.

“Family child care facility” means any facility which is used to provide nonresidential child care services for compensation for seven to 12 children, including children who are living in the household, who are under six years of age. A facility may be in a provider’s residence or a separate building.

“Family child care home” means a facility which is used to provide nonresidential child care services for compensation in a provider’s residence. The provider may care for four to six children at one time, including children who are living in the household, who are under six years of age.

“Family resource network” means:

(A) A local community organization charged with service coordination, needs and resource assessment, planning, community mobilization, and evaluation, and which has met the following criteria:

(i) Agreeing to a single governing entity;

(ii) Agreeing to engage in activities to improve service systems for children and families within the community;

(iii) Addressing a geographic area of a county or two or more contiguous counties;

(iv) Having nonproviders, which include family representatives and other members who are not employees of publicly funded agencies, as the majority of the members of the governing body, and having family representatives as the majority of the nonproviders;

(v) Having representatives of local service agencies, including, but not limited to, the public health department, the behavioral health center, the local health and human resources agency, and the county school district, on the governing body; and

(vi) Accepting principles consistent with the cabinet’s mission as part of its philosophy.

(B) A family resource network may not provide direct services, which means to provide programs or services directly to children and families.

“Family support”, for the purposes of §49-2-601 et seq. of this code, means goods and services needed by families to care for their family members with developmental disabilities and to enjoy a quality of life comparable to other community members.

“Family support program” means a coordinated system of family support services administered by the Department of Health and Human Resources through contracts with behavioral health agencies throughout the state.

“Foster family home” means a private residence which is used for the care on a residential basis of no more than ~~five~~ six children who are unrelated by blood, marriage, or adoption to any adult member of the household.

“Health care and treatment” means:

(A) Developmental screening;

(B) Mental health screening;

(D) Ordinary and necessary medical and dental examination and treatment;

(E) Preventive care including ordinary immunizations, tuberculin testing, and well-child care; and

(F) Nonemergency diagnosis and treatment. However, nonemergency diagnosis and treatment does not include an abortion.

“Home-based family preservation services” means services dispensed by the Department of Health and Human Resources or by another person, association, or group who has contracted with that division to dispense services when those services are intended to stabilize and maintain the natural or surrogate family in order to prevent the placement of children in substitute care. There are two types of home-based family preservation services and they are as follows:

(A) Intensive, short-term intervention of four to six weeks; and

(B) Home-based, longer-term after care following intensive intervention.

“Informal family child care” means a home that is used to provide nonresidential child care services for compensation for three or fewer children, including children who are living in the household who are under six years of age. Care is given in the provider’s own home to at least one child who is not related to the caregiver.

“Kinship placement” means a certified kinship placement.

“Needs Assessment” means an evidence-informed assessment which identifies the needs a child or family has, which, if left unaddressed, will likely increase the chance of reoccurring.

“Nonsecure facility” means any public or private residential facility not characterized by construction fixtures designed to physically restrict the movements and activities of individuals held in lawful custody in that facility and which provides its residents access to the surrounding community with supervision.

“Nonviolent misdemeanor offense” means a misdemeanor offense that does not include any of the following:

(A) An act resulting in bodily injury or death;

(B) The use of a weapon in the commission of the offense;

(D) A criminal sexual conduct offense; or

(E) Any offense for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Out-of-home placement” means a post-adjudication placement in a foster family home, group home, nonsecure facility, emergency shelter, hospital, psychiatric residential treatment facility, staff secure facility, hardware secure facility, detention facility, or other residential placement other than placement in the home of a parent, custodian, or guardian.

“Out-of-school time” means a child care service which offers activities to children before and after school, on school holidays, when school is closed due to emergencies, and on school calendar days set aside for teacher activities.

“Placement” means any temporary or permanent placement of a child who is in the custody of the state in any foster home, group home, or other facility or residence.

“Pre-adjudicatory community supervision” means supervision provided to a youth prior to adjudication, for a period of supervision up to one year for an alleged status or delinquency offense.

“Regional family support council” means the council established by the regional family support agency to carry out the responsibilities specified in §49-2-601 et seq. of this code.

“Relative family child care” means a home that provides nonresidential child care services only to children related to the caregiver. The caregiver is a grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, uncle, great-aunt, great-uncle, or adult sibling of the child or children receiving care. Care is given in the provider’s home.

“Residential services” means child care which includes the provision of nighttime shelter and the personal discipline and supervision of a child by guardians, custodians, or other persons or entities on a continuing or temporary basis. It may include care or treatment, or both, for transitioning adults. Residential services does not include or apply to any juvenile detention facility or juvenile correctional facility operated by the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, created pursuant to this chapter, for the secure housing or holding of juveniles committed to its custody.

“Risk and needs assessment” means a validated, standardized actuarial tool which identifies specific risk factors that increase the likelihood of reoffending and the factors that, when properly addressed, can reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

“Scattered-Site Living Arrangement” means a living arrangement where youth, age 17 to 26, live in a setting that allows staff to be available as needed depending on the youth’s level of autonomy. Sites shall be in community environments to allow the youth full access to services and resources in order to fully develop independent living skills.

“Secure facility” means any public or private residential facility which includes construction fixtures designed to physically restrict the movements and activities of juveniles or other individuals held in lawful custody in such facility.

“Staff secure facility” means any public or private residential facility characterized by staff restrictions of the movements and activities of individuals held in lawful custody in such facility, and which limits its residents’ access to the surrounding community, but is not characterized by construction fixtures designed to physically restrict the movements and activities of residents.

“Standardized screener” means a brief, validated nondiagnostic inventory or questionnaire designed to identify juveniles in need of further assessment for medical, substance abuse, emotional, psychological, behavioral, or educational issues, or other conditions.

“State family support council” means the council established by the Department of Health and Human Resources pursuant to §49-2-601 et seq. of this code to carry out the responsibilities specified in §49-2-101 et seq. of this code.

“Supervised Group Setting” means a setting where youth 17 to 21 live with staff onsite or are available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. In this setting, staff provide face to face daily contact with youth.

“Time-limited reunification services” means individual, group, and family counseling, inpatient, residential, or outpatient substance abuse treatment services, mental health services, assistance to address domestic violence, services designed to provide temporary child care, and therapeutic services for families, including crisis nurseries and transportation to or from those services, provided during 15 of the most recent 22 months a child or juvenile has been in foster care, as determined by the earlier date of the first judicial finding that the child is subjected to abuse or neglect, or the date which is 60 days after the child or juvenile is removed from home.

“Technical violation” means an act that violates the terms or conditions of probation or a court order that does not constitute a new delinquent offense.

“Truancy diversion specialist” means a school-based probation officer or truancy social worker within a school or schools who, among other responsibilities, identifies truants and the causes of the truant behavior, and assists in developing a plan to reduce the truant behavior prior to court involvement.

(a) For purposes of this section:

(1) “Child” means:

(A) A person less than 18 years of age; or

(B) A person age 18 to 21 years who is eligible to receive the extended foster care services.

(2) “Child-placing agency” means an agency licensed by the department to place a child in a foster care home.

(3) “Department” means the Department of Health and Human Resources.

(4) “Evidence-based” means a program or practice that is cost-effective and includes at least two randomized or statistically controlled evaluations that have demonstrated improved outcomes for its intended population.

(5) “Performance-based contracting” means structuring all aspects of the procurement of services around the purpose of the work to be performed and the desired results with the contract requirements set forth in clear, specific, and objective terms with measurable outcomes and linking payment for services to contractor performance.

(6) “Promising practice” means a practice that presents, based upon preliminary information, potential for becoming a research-based or consensus-based practice.

(7) “Research-based” means a program or practice that has some research demonstrating effectiveness, but that does not yet meet the standard of evidence-based practices.

(b) No later than December 1, 2020, the department shall enter into performance-based contracts with child placing agencies.

(c) In conducting the procurement, the department shall actively consult with other state agencies and other entities with expertise in performance-based contracting with child placing agencies.

(d) The procurement process shall be developed and implemented in a manner that complies with applicable provisions of this code.

(e) The procurement and resulting contracts shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Adequate capacity to meet the anticipated service needs in the contracted service area of the child placing agency;

(2) The use of evidence-based, research-based, and promising practices, where appropriate, including fidelity and quality assurance provisions;

(3) Child placing agency data reporting, including data on performance and service outcomes; including but not limited to:

(A) Safety outcomes;

(B) Permanency outcomes;

(D) Incentives earned; ~~and~~

(E) Placement of older children;

(F) Placement of children with special needs; and

(G) Recruitment and retention of foster parents; and

(4) A hold harmless period to determine a baseline for evaluation.

(f) As part of the procurement process under this section, the department shall issue the request for proposals no later than July 1, 2020. The department shall notify the apparently successful bidders no later than September 1, 2020.

(g) Performance-based payment methodologies must be used in child placing agency contracting. Performance measures should relate to successful engagement by a child or parent in services included in their case plan, and resulting improvement in identified problem behaviors and interactions. For the first year of implementation of performance-based contracting, the department may transfer financial risk for the provision of services to the child placing agency only to the limited extent necessary to implement a performance-based payment methodology, such as phased payment for services. However, the department may develop a shared savings methodology through which the child placing agency will receive a defined share of any savings that result from improved performance. If the department receives a Title IV-E waiver, the shared savings methodology must be consistent with the terms of the waiver. If a shared savings methodology is adopted, the child placing agency shall reinvest the savings in enhanced services to better meet the needs of the families and children they serve.

(h) The department shall actively monitor the child placing agency’s compliance with the terms of contracts executed under this section.

(i) The use of performance-based contracts under this section shall be done in a manner that does not adversely affect the state’s ability to continue to obtain federal funding for child welfare-related functions currently performed by the state and with consideration of options to further maximize federal funding opportunities and increase flexibility in the use of such funds, including use for preventive and in-home child welfare services.

(j) The department shall pay child placing agencies contracted to provide adoption services to foster families a minimum of $1,000 per child for each adoption finalized.

(k) The department shall pay a child placing agency contracted to provide foster family home care a minimum daily rate of at least $75 for services provided to each child in placement. In addition, the child placing agency will reimburse foster parents at least 40 percent of the minimum daily rate for services provided to each child placed in the foster family home. Families fostering directly through the department, including certified kinship providers, shall be provided at least $900 per month for each child placed in their home. The rate shall be reviewed by the Department of Health and Human Resources at minimum of every three years to determine whether the level of foster care payments facilitate or hinder the efficient placement of foster children with West Virginia families.

(l) The department shall report the performance of the child placing agency to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Health and Human Resources Accountability by December 31, annually.

§49-2-126. Foster Children’s Bill of Rights.

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that the design and delivery of child welfare services should be directed by the principle that the health and safety of children should be of paramount concern and, therefore, establishes the goals for children in foster care. A child in foster care should have:

~~(1) Protection by a family of his or her own, and be provided readily available services and support through care of an adoptive family or by plan, a continuing foster family;~~

(2) Nurturing by foster parents who have been selected to meet his or her individual needs, and who are provided services and support, including specialized education, so that the child can grow to reach his or her potential;

~~(3) A safe foster home free of violence, abuse, neglect and danger;~~

(4) The ability to communicate with the assigned social worker or case worker overseeing the child’s case and have calls made to the social worker or case worker returned within a reasonable period of time;

~~(5) Permission to remain enrolled in the school the child attended before being placed in foster care, if at all possible;~~

~~(6) Participation in school extracurricular activities, community events, and religious practices;~~

(7) Communication with the biological parents. Communication is necessary if the child placed in foster care receives any immunizations and if any additional immunizations are needed, if the child will be transitioning back into a home with his or her biological parents;

~~(8) A bank or savings account established in accordance with state laws and federal regulations;~~

~~(9) Identification and other permanent documents, including a birth certificate, social security card and health records by the age of sixteen, to the extent allowed by federal and state law;~~

~~(10) The use of appropriate communication measures to maintain contact with siblings if the child placed in foster care is separated from his or her siblings; and~~

~~(11) Meaningful participation in a transition plan for those phasing out of foster care.~~

(b) A person shall not have a cause of action against the state or any of its subdivisions, agencies, contractors, subcontractors, or agents, based upon the adoption of or failure to provide adequate funding for the achievement fo these goals by the Legislature. Nothing in this section requires the expenditure of funds to meet the goals established in this section, except funds specifically appropriated for that purpose.

(c) The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources shall propose rules for promulgation in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to ensure that a child has an effective means of being heard if he or she believes the goals of this section are not being met.

(d) When a child who was previously placed into foster care, but left the custody or guardianship of the department, is again placed into foster care, the department shall notify the foster parents who most recently cared for the child of the child’s availability for foster care placement to determine if the foster parents are desirous of seeking a foster care arrangement for the child. The arrangement may only be made if the foster parents are otherwise qualified or can become qualified to enter into the foster care arrangement with the department and if the arrangement is in the best interests of the child: Provided, That the department may petition the court to waive notification to the foster parents. This waiver may be granted, ex parte, upon a showing of compelling circumstances

(a) The West Virginia Legislature further finds that it is in the best interest of West Virginia’s child welfare system to acknowledge foster children as active and participating members of this system and to support them through the following bill of rights:

(1) To live in a safe, healthy, and comfortable least restrictive setting possible where he or she is treated with respect.

(2) When placed with a foster family, to be matched as closely as possible with a family with consideration for the child’s needs, ability to remain with siblings, religious preferences, and other factors which may be important to the child and family.

(3) To be free from physical, sexual, psychological, or other abuse, exploitation or corporal punishment.

(4) To receive adequate and healthy food, adequate fitting clothing, and a travel bag.

(5) To receive medical, dental, vision, mental health services, and substance use treatment services, as needed;

(6) To be informed and consulted on any medication or chemical substance to be administered as appropriate with the child’s age and development level,

(7) To contact and communicate privately, including confidential telephones calls and unopened mail, with caseworkers, guardians ad litem, attorneys, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and probation officers.

(8) To visit and contact siblings as may be reasonably accommodated, unless prohibited by court order, the case plan, or other extenuating circumstances.

(9) To contact the department or the foster care ombudsperson regarding violations of rights, to speak to representatives of these offices confidentially, and to be free from threats, retaliation, or punishment for making complaints.

(10) To make and receive confidential telephone calls and send and receive unopened mail, to family members, including biological parents, unless prohibited by court order or the case plan.

(11) To maintain contact with all previous caregivers and other important adults in his or her life, if desired, unless prohibited by court order.

(12) To attend religious services and activities of his or her choice to the extent possible.

(13) To manage personal income, consistent with the child’s age and developmental level, unless prohibited by the case plan.

(14) To be free from unwarranted physical restraint and isolation.

(15) To attend school, the foster child’s school of origin if feasible, and participate in extracurricular, cultural, and personal enrichment activities, consistent with the child’s age and developmental level, and with foster family’s ability to provide specific activities with consideration for finances and scheduling.

(16) To work and develop job skills at an age-appropriate level that is consistent with the child’s age and developmental level.

(17) To have social contacts with people outside of the foster care system, such as teachers, church members, mentors, and friends.

(18) To attend Independent Living Program classes and activities if he or she meets age requirements.

(19) To attend court hearings and speak directly to the judge.

(20) To have storage space for private use.

(21) To review his or her own case plan if he or she is over 12 years of age and to receive information about his or her out-of-home placement and case plan, including being told of changes to the plan.

(22) To be free from unreasonable searches of personal belongings consistent with the reasonable and prudent parent standard and the child’s age and developmental level.

(23) To have fair and equal access to all available services, placement, care, treatment, and benefits, and to not be subjected to discrimination or harassment.

(24) As soon as developmentally appropriate, to have access to existing information regarding the educational options available, including, but not limited to, the coursework necessary for vocational and postsecondary educational programs, and information regarding financial aid for postsecondary education.

(25) To be informed of the reason for placement in foster care, and of what will happen to the child’s family and siblings.

(26) To receive a copy of and have explained the rights set forth in this section by the child’s guardian ad litem or attorney.

(27) To receive care to a reasonable and prudent parent standard, appropriate to the age and development level of the child.

(b) The rights provided for in this section do not create grounds for a civil action against the state. Violation of these rights shall be investigated by the foster care ombudsman.

§49-2-127. Foster Parents’ and Kinship Bill of Rights.

(a) The West Virginia Legislature finds that foster parents and kinship placements providing care for children who are in the custody of the department play an integral, indispensable, and vital role in the state’s effort to care for children displaced from their homes. The West Virginia Legislature further finds that it is in the best interest of West Virginia’s child welfare system to acknowledge foster parents and kinship placements as active and participating members of this system and to support them through the following bill of rights for foster parents and kinship placements:

(1) The right to be treated with dignity, respect, and trust as a primary provider of foster care and a member of the professional team caring for foster children;

(2) The right to continue with his or her own family values and beliefs, so long as the values and beliefs of the foster child and the birth family are not infringed upon.

(3) The right to receive both training by the Child Placing Agency or the department at appropriate intervals to meet mutually assessed needs of the child and to improve foster parents’ skills and to inform foster parents of any changes in policies and procedures.

(4) The right to receive assistance when dealing with loss and separation when a child leaves the foster home.

(5) The right to child care for all children in the household provided at no cost to the parent while attending training, groups, or events required by the Child Placing Agency or the Bureau for Children and Families, without reduction in available respite days.

(6) The right to be informed by the Bureau of Children and Families of information, laws, and guidelines on the obligations, responsibilities, and opportunities of foster parenting and to be kept updated of any changes in laws, policies, and procedures regarding foster parenting in a timely manner and at least annually;

(7) The right to receive financial reimbursement disbursed on or before the 25th day of each calendar month according to the agreement between the foster parents and the child placing agency or the department and to be notified of any costs or expenses for which the foster parent may be eligible for reimbursement;

(8) The right to have an emergency contact 24 hours per day, seven days per week. For the department, the Centralized Intake Hotline satisfies this right.

(9) The right prior to the placement of a child to be notified by the Bureau of Children and Families of any known issues relative to the child that may jeopardize the health and safety of the foster family or the child, or alter the manner in which foster care should be administered;

(10) The right to receive, prior to placement of a child, by the Bureau of Children and Families, all known information relating to the child’s behavior, family background, health history, or special needs and receive updates relevant to the care of the child as it becomes available, as allowable under state and federal laws;

(11) The right to refuse placement of a child in the foster home or to request, upon reasonable notice, the removal of a child from the foster home without fear of reprisal or any adverse effect on being assigned any future foster or adoptive placements;

(12) The right to receive any information through the Bureau of Children and Families regarding the number of times a foster child has been moved and the reasons therefor; and to receive the names and phone numbers of the previous foster parents if the previous foster parents have authorized such release and as allowable under state and federal law;

(13) The right to communicate with the foster child’s birth family only be restricted when necessary for safety of the foster family or the childs.

(14) The right to be provided with a written copy of the individual treatment and service plan concerning the child in the foster parent’s home and to discuss such plan with the case manager, as well as reasonable notification of any changes to that plan, including timely notice of the need to remove a child from the foster home and the reasons for the removal.

(15) The right to participate in the planning of visitation between the child and the child’s biological family with the foster parents recognizing that visitation with his or her biological family is important to the child;

(16) The right to participate with timely and reasonable notice in the case planning and decision-making process with the department regarding the child as provided in §49-4-101 et seq. of this code;

(17) The right to provide input concerning the plan of services for the child and to have that input considered by the department;

(18) The right to communicate with other professionals who work with the child including, but not limited to, therapists, physicians, and teachers, as allowable under state and federal law;

(19) The right to be notified in advance, by the department or the court of any hearing or review where the case plan or permanency of the child is an issue, including initial and periodic reviews held by the court, and permanency plan hearings;

(20) The right to be considered, where appropriate and consistent with the best interests of the child, as a permanent placement option when a child who was formerly placed with the foster parents has reentered the foster care system;

(21) The right to be considered, where appropriate and consistent with the best interests of the child, as the first choice as a permanent parent or parents for a child who, after 12 months of placement in the foster home, is released for adoption or legal guardianship;

(22) The right to be provided a fair, timely and impartial investigation of complaints concerning the operation of a foster home and to an explanation of a corrective action plan or policy violation relating to foster parents; and

(23) The right to be provided with information on how to contact the Foster Care Ombudsman, and to contact the Foster Care Ombudsman’s office regarding violations of rights, to speak to representatives of these offices confidentially, and to be free from threats, retaliation, or punishment for making complaints.

(24) The right to intervene when the time limitations contained in §49-4-605(a) or §49-4-610(9) of this code are implicated without fear of retaliation.

(25) The right to a minimum of 14 days of respite care per year. “Respite” is defined as a short period of rest or relief and shall not be used while a parent is recovering from a medical event, caring for one of several children in the household experiencing a medical event, or while caring for another family member experiencing a medical event. Assistance with care during those times shall be provided in addition to the 14 days of respite.

(26) The right to receive a written copy of the rights set forth in this section upon certification and upon request.

(b) The West Virginia Legislature finds that foster parents and kinship placements providing care for children who are in the custody of the department have responsibilities and duties including, but not limited to:

(1) To not violate the rights of the foster child listed in §49-2-126 of this code;

(2) To provide all children placed in their care with appropriate food, clothing, shelter, supervision, medical attention and educational needs using the reasonable and prudent parent standard as defined in §49-2-128 of this code;

(3) To treat all biological families with respect, to speak respectfully about the biological family to the child, and to support reunification with the biological family when determined to be appropriate by the court or case plan;

(4) To not divulge any information concerning the child’s case or the child’s family to anyone outside of the child’s caseworker, guardian ad litem, attorney, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) worker, probation officer, multidisciplinary team, foster care ombudsman, school or health care provider;

(5) To provide information to the caseworker regarding the child’s progress and attend multi-disciplinary team meetings, case planning sessions, court hearings, and to advise the court of any issues or concerns, when reasonably requested and the foster parent’s availability is taken into account;

(6) To teach all children placed in their home age appropriate life skills; and

(7) To treat all children in their home equally.

(c) At times, the rights provided in subsection (a) may be in conflict with the rights of the foster child provided in §49-2-126 of this code. The rights of the foster child preempt the rights of the foster parent.

(d) The rights provided for in this section do not create grounds for a civil action against the state. Violation of these rights shall be investigated by the foster care ombudsman.

§49-2-128. Reasonable and prudent parents.

(a) The following terms are defined:

“Age-appropriate” means activities or items that are generally accepted as suitable for children of the same chronological age or level of maturity. Age-appropriateness is based on the development of cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral capacity that is typical for an age or age group.

“Caregiver” means a person with whom the child is placed in foster care, kinship care, or a designated official for residential treatment facility.

“Reasonable and prudent parent standard” means the standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the child’s health, safety, and best interests while at the same time encouraging the child’s emotional and developmental growth, that a caregiver shall use when determining whether to allow a child in foster care or a kinship placement to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities.

(b) Each child who comes into care under this chapter is entitled to participate in age-appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities.

(c) Caregivers shall use a reasonable and prudent parent standard in determining whether to give permission for a child in out-of-home care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities. When using the reasonable and prudent parent standard, the caregiver shall consider:

(1) The child’s age, maturity, and developmental level to maintain the overall health and safety of the child.

(2) The potential risk factors and the appropriateness of the extracurricular, enrichment, and social activity.

(3) The best interest of the child based on information known by the caregiver.

(4) The importance of encouraging the child’s emotional and developmental growth.

(5) The importance of providing the child with the most family-like living experience possible.

(6) The behavioral history of the child and the child’s ability to safely participate in the proposed activity, as with any other child.

(d) Child placing agencies and residential treatment facilities shall have policies consistent with this section and that those agencies and facilities shall promote and protect the ability of children to participate in age-appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities.

(e) A foster parent or kinship placement must notify the child’s caseworker for any overnight stays longer than 24 hours. If the foster parent or kinship placement requests approval from the caseworker at least ten days before travel and caseworker does not respond to the request within three days of the request, the request is deemed approved: Provided, That overnight travel has not previously been prohibited by a court order in the child’s case. Notifications and requests may be made to the caseworker by telephone or electronically.

(f) A foster parent or kinship placement may use relative family child care, as defined in §49-1-206, to care for the foster child or kinship placement using the reasonable prudent parent standard.

(g) There is created a rebuttable presumption that a caregiver has acted as a reasonable and prudent parent.

(h) A caregiver is not liable for harm caused to a child in care who participates in an activity approved by the caregiver, provided that the caregiver has acted as a reasonable and prudent parent, unless the act or omission is an intentional tort or is willful misconduct or wanton, grossly negligent, reckless or criminal conduct.

(a) The department shall establish minimum standards for transitional living services, scattered-site living arrangements and supervised group settings to which all child placing agencies or child welfare agencies who provide this service must conform by legislative rule.

(b) Agencies shall establish eligibility criteria for serving transitioning adults including, at a minimum, the following:

(1) Age requirements for child receiving transitional living placement is 17 years of age, but not more than 26 years of age;

(2) Written permission from the child’s parents or guardian for a child less than 18 years of age to enter a scattered-site living arrangement;

(3) A written service agreement with a transitioning adult entering a transitional living arrangement;

(4) A determination by an agency that a child has shown that he or she is stable, mature and responsible enough for entry into the determined level of transitional living arrangement;

(5) A life skills assessment by an agency of a child’s prior to placing him or her in a transitional living arrangement and renewed annually; and

(6) A written transition plan developed with the child that identifies educational or training program or employment or pursuance of employment by the child in transitional living.

(c) The agency and child shall determine if a roommate is appropriate for a child prior to placement in transitional living settings. The roommate must be able to support himself or herself and contribute at least one-half of the living expenses for the scattered-site setting.

(d) An agency shall document face-to-face contact and hours spent with a child in a transitional living setting in the service plan that meet the child’s needs and program level.

(e) After a child is in a transitional living placement, an agency shall assess the child’s progress in acquiring basic living skills at a minimum of once every six months.

(f) An agency shall develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure that any child in a transitional living setting receives training and guidance on appropriate health screening and services, including medical and dental screening and services.

(g) An agency shall develop policies and procedures for assisting child in searching for an appropriate dwelling that will be used as a scattered-site living setting that includes the following provisions:

(1) A safe and affordable dwelling; and

(2) A dwelling has a working telephone or other means of communication in an emergency, indoor cooking and an appropriate water source for cooking, cleaning and bathing.

(h) The Legislature finds that an emergency exists and the Department shall promulgate emergency rules pursuant to the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code, and shall promulgate a legislative rule to implement the provisions of this section.

ARTICLE 4. COURT ACTIONS.

§49-4-604. Disposition of neglected or abused children; case plans; dispositions; factors to be considered; reunification; orders; alternative dispositions.

(a) Child and family case plans. — Following a determination pursuant to §49-4-602 of this code wherein the court finds a child to be abused or neglected, the department shall file with the court a copy of the child’s case plan, including the permanency plan for the child. The term “case plan” means a written document that includes, where applicable, the requirements of the family case plan as provided in §49-4-408 of this code and that also includes, at a minimum, the following:

(1) A description of the type of home or institution in which the child is to be placed, including a discussion of the appropriateness of the placement and how the agency which is responsible for the child plans to assure that the child receives proper care and that services are provided to the parents, child, and foster parents in order to improve the conditions that made the child unsafe in the care of his or her parent(s), including any reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U. S. C. §12101 et seq., to parents with disabilities in order to allow them meaningful access to reunification and family preservation services;

(2) A plan to facilitate the return of the child to his or her own home or the concurrent permanent placement of the child; and address the needs of the child while in relative or foster care, including a discussion of the appropriateness of the services that have been provided to the child.

The term “permanency plan” refers to that part of the case plan which is designed to achieve a permanent home for the child in the least restrictive setting available. The plan must document efforts to ensure that the child is returned home within approximate time lines for reunification as set out in the plan. Reasonable efforts to place a child for adoption or with a legal guardian should be made at the same time, or concurrent with, reasonable efforts to prevent removal or to make it possible for a child to return to the care of his or her parent(s) safely. If reunification is not the permanency plan for the child, the plan must state why reunification is not appropriate and detail the alternative, concurrent permanent placement plans for the child to include approximate time lines for when the placement is expected to become a permanent placement. This case plan shall serve as the family case plan for parents of abused or neglected children. Copies of the child’s case plan shall be sent to the child’s attorney and parent, guardian or custodian or their counsel at least five days prior to the dispositional hearing. The court shall forthwith proceed to disposition giving both the petitioner and respondents an opportunity to be heard.

(b) Report of Guardian ad Litem. A guardian ad litem, appointed pursuant to §49-4-601(f)(1) of this code, shall conduct an independent investigation of the facts of the case; meet with the child face-to-face, unless the court specifically determines that such a meeting would be inappropriate given the age, medical or psychological condition of the child; actively participate in all aspects of litigation; and provide a thoroughly analyzed and meaningful recommendation to the court. The guardian ad litem shall submit a written report to the court prior to the dispositional hearing. Copies of the guardian ad litem’s report shall be sent to the parties or their counsel and, upon discretion of the court, to persons entitled to notice and the right to be heard at least five days prior to the dispositional hearing. A dispositional hearing may proceed without a written guardian ad litem report if the parties have waived the requirement that the guardian ad litem’s report be submitted prior to disposition, and upon a finding of good cause by the presiding judge. Upon petition of the guardian ad litem, the court, in its discretion, may seal the report or redact information contained in the report. Guardians ad litem are precluded from testifying, but may proffer, as to any aspect of the report. The report shall include, at a minimum, the following information:

(1) A brief summary of the procedural posture of the case;

(2) The dates the guardian ad litem had contact with the child and the nature of the contact;

(3) The names of each person interviewed, the date of the interview, and the person’s relationship to the child;

(4) A summary of the information obtained from the interviews and observations obtained from the investigation;

(5) The documents reviewed during the course of the investigation and a brief summary of the contents;

(6) The child’s placement history, visitation schedule, and current status of the child’s education, health, services, and contact with siblings and relatives;

(7) The parents’ current status and ability to care for the child;

(8) When appropriate, the child’s expressed wishes and any issue that the child requests that the court consider;

(9) The recommendation of the guardian ad litem that addresses the best interest of child regarding custody, visitation, and permanent placement;

(10) Obtain the signature of a foster parent or kinship placement indicating that the visit took place at the home of the foster parent or kinship placement; and

(11) A statement indicating the reason any witnesses including the foster parents were not interviewed by the guardian ad litem if those witnesses were requested to be interviewed.

~~(b)~~ (c) Disposition decisions. — The court shall give precedence to dispositions in the following sequence:

(1) Dismiss the petition;

(2) Refer the child, the abusing parent, the battered parent or other family members to a community agency for needed assistance and dismiss the petition;

(3) Return the child to his or her own home under supervision of the department;

(4) Order terms of supervision calculated to assist the child and any abusing parent or battered parent or parents or custodian which prescribe the manner of supervision and care of the child and which are within the ability of any parent or parents or custodian to perform;

(5) Upon a finding that the abusing parent or battered parent or parents are presently unwilling or unable to provide adequately for the child’s needs, commit the child temporarily to the care, custody, and control of the state department, a licensed private child welfare agency, or a suitable person who may be appointed guardian by the court. The court order shall state:

(A) That continuation in the home is contrary to the best interests of the child and why;

(B) Whether or not the department has made reasonable efforts, with the child’s health and safety being the paramount concern, to preserve the family, or some portion thereof, and to prevent or eliminate the need for removing the child from the child’s home and to make it possible for the child to safely return home;

(C) Whether the department has made reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U. S. C. § 12101 et seq., to parents with disabilities in order to allow them meaningful access to reunification and family preservation services;

(D) What efforts were made or that the emergency situation made those efforts unreasonable or impossible; and

(E) The specific circumstances of the situation which made those efforts unreasonable if services were not offered by the department. The court order shall also determine under what circumstances the child’s commitment to the department are to continue. Considerations pertinent to the determination include whether the child should:

(i) Be considered for legal guardianship;

(ii) Be considered for permanent placement with a fit and willing relative; or

(iii) Be placed in another planned permanent living arrangement, but only in cases where the child has attained 16 years of age and the department has documented to the circuit court a compelling reason for determining that it would not be in the best interests of the child to follow one of the options set forth in subparagraphs (i) or (ii) of this paragraph. The court may order services to meet the special needs of the child. Whenever the court transfers custody of a youth to the department, an appropriate order of financial support by the parents or guardians shall be entered in accordance with §49-4-801 through §49-4-803 of this code;

(6) Upon a finding that there is no reasonable likelihood that the conditions of neglect or abuse can be substantially corrected in the near future and, when necessary for the welfare of the child, terminate the parental, custodial and guardianship rights and responsibilities of the abusing parent and commit the child to the permanent sole custody of the nonabusing parent, if there be one, or, if not, to either the permanent guardianship of the department or a licensed child welfare agency. The court may award sole custody of the child to a nonabusing battered parent. If the court shall so find, then in fixing its dispositional order the court shall consider the following factors:

(A) The child’s need for continuity of care and caretakers;

(B) The amount of time required for the child to be integrated into a stable and permanent home environment; and

(C) Other factors as the court considers necessary and proper. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the court shall give consideration to the wishes of a child 14 years of age or older or otherwise of an age of discretion as determined by the court regarding the permanent termination of parental rights. No adoption of a child shall take place until all proceedings for termination of parental rights under this article and appeals thereof are final. In determining whether or not parental rights should be terminated, the court shall consider the efforts made by the department to provide remedial and reunification services to the parent. The court order shall state:

(i) That continuation in the home is not in the best interest of the child and why;

(ii) Why reunification is not in the best interests of the child;

(iii) Whether or not the department made reasonable efforts, with the child’s health and safety being the paramount concern, to preserve the family, or some portion thereof, and to prevent the placement or to eliminate the need for removing the child from the child’s home and to make it possible for the child to safely return home, or that the emergency situation made those efforts unreasonable or impossible; and

(iv) Whether or not the department made reasonable efforts to preserve and reunify the family, or some portion thereof, including a description of what efforts were made or that those efforts were unreasonable due to specific circumstances.

(7) For purposes of the court’s consideration of the disposition custody of a child pursuant to this subsection, the department is not required to make reasonable efforts to preserve the family if the court determines:

(A) The parent has subjected the child, another child of the parent or any other child residing in the same household or under the temporary or permanent custody of the parent to aggravated circumstances which include, but are not limited to, abandonment, torture, chronic abuse, and sexual abuse;

(B) The parent has:

(i) Committed murder of the child’s other parent, guardian or custodian, another child of the parent, or any other child residing in the same household or under the temporary or permanent custody of the parent;

(ii) Committed voluntary manslaughter of the child’s other parent, guardian or custodian, another child of the parent, or any other child residing in the same household or under the temporary or permanent custody of the parent;

(iii) Attempted or conspired to commit murder or voluntary manslaughter, or been an accessory before or after the fact to either crime;

(iv) Committed a malicious assault that results in serious bodily injury to the child, the child’s other parent, guardian or custodian, to another child of the parent, or any other child residing in the same household or under the temporary or permanent custody of the parent; or

(v) Committed sexual assault or sexual abuse of the child, the child’s other parent, guardian or custodian, another child of the parent, or any other child residing in the same household or under the temporary or permanent custody of the parent.

(D) A parent has been required by state or federal law to register with a sex offender registry, and the court has determined in consideration of the nature and circumstances surrounding the prior charges against that parent, that the child’s interests would not be promoted by a preservation of the family.

~~(c)~~ (d) As used in this section, “No reasonable likelihood that conditions of neglect or abuse can be substantially corrected” means that, based upon the evidence before the court, the abusing adult or adults have demonstrated an inadequate capacity to solve the problems of abuse or neglect on their own or with help. Those conditions exist in the following circumstances, which are not exclusive:

(1) The abusing parent or parents have habitually abused or are addicted to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs, to the extent that proper parenting skills have been seriously impaired and the person or persons have not responded to or followed through the recommended and appropriate treatment which could have improved the capacity for adequate parental functioning;

(2) The abusing parent or parents have willfully refused or are presently unwilling to cooperate in the development of a reasonable family case plan designed to lead to the child’s return to their care, custody and control;

(3) The abusing parent or parents have not responded to or followed through with a reasonable family case plan or other rehabilitative efforts of social, medical, mental health, or other rehabilitative agencies designed to reduce or prevent the abuse or neglect of the child, as evidenced by the continuation or insubstantial diminution of conditions which threatened the health, welfare, or life of the child;

(4) The abusing parent or parents have abandoned the child;

(5) The abusing parent or parents have repeatedly or seriously injured the child physically or emotionally, or have sexually abused or sexually exploited the child, and the degree of family stress and the potential for further abuse and neglect are so great as to preclude the use of resources to mitigate or resolve family problems, or assist the abusing parent or parents in fulfilling their responsibilities to the child; and

(6) The battered parent’s parenting skills have been seriously impaired and the person has willfully refused or is presently unwilling or unable to cooperate in the development of a reasonable treatment plan, or has not adequately responded to or followed through with the recommended and appropriate treatment plan.

~~(d)~~ (e) The court may, as an alternative disposition, allow the parents or custodians an improvement period not to exceed six months. During this period the court shall require the parent to rectify the conditions upon which the determination was based. The court may order the child to be placed with the parents, or any person found to be a fit and proper person, for the temporary care of the child during the period. At the end of the period, the court shall hold a hearing to determine whether the conditions have been adequately improved and at the conclusion of the hearing shall make a further dispositional order in accordance with this section.

~~(e)~~ (f) The court may not terminate the parental right of a parent on the sole basis that the parent is participating in a medication-assisted treatment program, as regulated in §16-5Y-1 et seq., for substance use disorder, as long as the parent is successfully fulfilling his or her treatment obligations in the medication-assisted treatment program.