SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2004 SESSION

  • | print version

SB 35 Guardianship of children; subsidy for relative caregivers.

Introduced by: Yvonne B. Miller | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS PASSED: (all summaries)

Subsidized custody of children living with relative caregivers. Directs the Department of Social Services to establish a subsidized custody program for the benefit of children in the custody of a local board of social services on or after July 1, 2004, who are living with relative caregivers and for whom reunification with their natural parents and adoption by relatives are ruled out as placement options. A relative caregiver means a person, other than a natural parent, to whom the child is related by blood, marriage, or adoption. A relative caregiver shall obtain legal custody over such child. Within the limitations of federal funding and the subsidized custody appropriation to the Department, the subsidized custody program shall include (i) a one-time special-need payment, which shall be a lump sum payment for expenses resulting from the assumption of care of the child, (ii) services for the child, including but not limited to, short-term casework, information and referral, and crisis intervention, and (iii) a maintenance subsidy that shall be payable monthly to the relative caregiver equal to the prevailing foster care rate. The Department may establish an asset test for eligibility under the program. The subsidized custody payment shall be made pursuant to a subsidized custody agreement entered into between the local board and the relative caregiver. The relative caregiver receiving a custody subsidy shall submit annually to the local department a sworn statement that the child is still living with and receiving support from the relative. The parent of any child receiving assistance through the subsidized custody program shall remain liable for the support of the child. The bill requires the State Board of Social Services to promulgate emergency regulations and the Department to seek all federal waivers. The final enactment clause states the act shall not become effective unless federal funds are made available through a federal Title IV-E waiver and an appropriation of funds effectuating the purposes of the act is included in the biennial budget passed by the 2004 General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor.


FULL TEXT

HISTORY