CO SB 24-008

Title: Kinship Foster Care Homes
Author: Junie Joseph

Summary
Colorado's Child Welfare System Interim Study Committee. The bill states that a court shall not delay permanency planning for a child or youth for purposes of maintaining financial support for a kinship foster care home, or a non-certified kinship foster care home, unless there are exceptional circumstances as approved by the court. Prior to transferring temporary legal custody of a child or youth to a relative or kin, the court shall make findings that the relative or kin was advised regarding the differences between kinship foster care and non-certified kinship care, including, but not limited to, financial assistance, custody requirements, and long-term financial support options. The bill allows the state department of human services (state department) to promulgate rules to modify the requirements for kinship foster care homes, including training topics for kinship foster care certification. Emergency financial assistance for a kinship foster care home is expanded to include goods needed for the child's basic care, including beds, clothing, and transportation costs, and limited rental or housing assistance not to exceed a 60-day subsidy. The bill clarifies the definitions regarding foster care homes, kinship foster care homes (kinship home), and non-certified kinship foster care homes (non-certified kinship home). A kinship home is a home that has been certified by a county department of human or social services (county department) or a child placement agency to provide 24-hour care for relatives or kin only who are less than 21 years of age. A kinship home is eligible for financial assistance and supports the same foster care reimbursement, assistance, and other supports as foster care homes . "Kinship foster care home" does not include a non-certified kinship home. A non-certified kinship home means a relative or kin who has a significant relationship with the child or youth and who has either chosen not to pursue the certification process or who has not met the certification requirements for a kinship home. The bill formally establishes the process by which a kinship home may apply for certification from a county department or child placement agency. A county department or child placement agency, upon the completion of the required background checks, may issue a one-time provisional certificate for a period of 6 months to an applicant at a specific location who is requesting provisional certification, if requested by the applicant. If the applicant completes the required background checks, the county department or child placement agency shall make payment beginning with the date of placement completion of the fingerprint background check . The county department or child placement agency shall complete the certification process within the timelines promulgated by rule of the state board. The applicant has the right to appeal any denial of certification. The state department, a county department, or a child placement agency has the right to revoke a kinship home's certification for cause. Prior to issuing a certificate or subsequent certificate to an applicant to operate a kinship home, a county department or a child placement agency shall conduct a fingerprint-based criminal history record check (fingerprint check) through the Colorado bureau of investigation. The applicant shall pay, unless otherwise paid by a county department, the costs associated with the fingerprint check to the Colorado bureau of investigation. The county department or child placement agency to which the kinship home applied for certification shall extend the provisional certification by an additional 60 days if the applicant can demonstrate that the applicant did not cause the delay in completing all the requirements for certification. A kinship home may opt out of the provisional certification process and remain eligible for supports through sources other than foster care maintenance. The bill stipulates that prior to transferring temporary legal

Status
House Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations

Bill Documents
CO SB 24-008 - Introduced Version
2024-01-10 - CO SB 24-008 (Introduced Version)

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CO SB 24-008 - PA1 Preamended Versions
2024-01-10 - CO SB 24-008 (PA1 Preamended Versions)

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CO SB 24-008 - PA3 Preamended Versions
2024-01-10 - CO SB 24-008 (PA3 Preamended Versions)

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CO SB 24-008 - PA2 Preamended Versions
2024-01-10 - CO SB 24-008 (PA2 Preamended Versions)

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CO SB 24-008 - Engrossed Version
2024-01-10 - CO SB 24-008 (Engrossed Version)

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CO SB 24-008 - Introduced Version
2024-01-10 - CO SB 24-008 (Introduced Version)

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CO SB 24-008 - Reengrossed Version
2024-01-10 - CO SB 24-008 (Reengrossed Version)

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CO SB 24-008 - PA4 Preamended Versions
2024-01-10 - CO SB 24-008 (PA4 Preamended Versions)

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