CHILD PLACEMENT PREFERENCE; MODIFY S.B. 1166:
REVISED SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED
BILL IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 1166 (as introduced 9-15-22)
Sponsor: Senator Curtis S. VanderWall
Committee: Health Policy and Human Services
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Foster Care and Adoption Services Act to require that child placement preference be given to an adult related to the child within the fifth degree.
The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 5974, which would amend the juvenile code to modify the definition of "relative".
Section 4a of the Act specifies that, upon removal, as part of a child's initial case service plan, the supervising agency (the Department of Health and Human Services if the child is placed in the Department's care for foster care or a child placing agency in whose care a child is placed for foster care) must, within 30 days, identify, locate, notify, and consult with relative to determine placement with a fit and appropriate relative who would meet the child's developmental, emotional, and physical needs.
Under the bill, preference would have to be given to an adult related to the child within the fifth degree by blood, marriage, or adoption provided that the relative meets all relevant State child protection standards.
The bill also specifies that Section 4a would not supersede the placement preferences in the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act.
MCL 722.954a Legislative Analyst: Stephen P. Jackson
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: John P. Maxwell
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.