SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2023 SESSION

  • | print version

HB 1744 Adoption and foster care; home study reciprocity, licensed child-placing agencies, effective date.

Introduced by: Betsy B. Carr | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Adoption and foster care; home study reciprocity. Provides that home studies conducted by a local board of social services or licensed child-placing agency for the purpose of placing a child in a foster home or with an adoptive family shall, on and after January 1, 2024, be transferable between all localities, local boards, and licensed child-placing agencies within the Commonwealth at the request of the prospective foster parent or the prospective adoptive parent, subject to any time limitations or other requirements imposed by law or regulation. The bill requires all home studies to be conducted in accordance with the Mutual Family Assessment home study template and any addenda thereto developed by the Department of Social Services. The bill directs the State Board of Social Services to promulgate regulations that establish market rates for such home studies.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Adoption and foster care; home study reciprocity. Provides that home studies conducted by a local board of social services or licensed child-placing agency for the purpose of placing a child in a foster home or with an adoptive family shall, on and after July 1, 2024, be transferable between all localities, local boards, and licensed child-placing agencies within the Commonwealth, subject to any time limitations or other requirements imposed by law or State Board of Social Services regulations. The bill allows the Board to promulgate regulations that establish a market rate for such home studies. The bill also directs the Department of Social Services to convene a work group to study and create, in coordination with all relevant stakeholders, a template to be used for all home studies for these purposes and to report its findings to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions and the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services by November 1, 2023.