STATEHOUSE (Jan. 25, 2018) – A bill that would require the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) to enact a foster parent bill of rights recently passed out of the Indiana Senate by a vote of 48-0, said State Sen. Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute).
Senate Bill 233, authored by Ford, would require DCS to form a working group made of current foster parents, child-placing agencies and other individuals and organizations with expertise in foster care services. The group would develop and update a statement of the rights and responsibilities of a foster parent. DCS would also be required to develop a plan to distribute to current and prospective foster parents, and make the document available to the public on the department’s website.
“The collaboration and support of Hoosier foster parents and foster parent groups have helped move this bill forward,” Ford said. “We need to do what is best for the children who are in the Indiana child welfare system by ensuring their foster parents know their rights and privileges.”
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, a foster parent bill of rights has been enacted in 17 states.
The bill now moves to the Indiana House of Representatives for further consideration.
-30-
Contact: Lauren Beatty, Press Secretary
lauren.beatty@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221
