DCS; kinship care placement; requirement
What changed between versions
Expanded the definition of 'extended family member' to explicitly include grandparents, ensuring they are recognized as priority placement options alongside other relatives.
Removed a specific provision requiring the department to determine if placement is necessary to meet the child's needs, streamlining the decision-making process for kinship placements.
Changed language regarding placement risk assessments to remove the requirement of assessing risk to 'another member of the household' when determining if placement with relatives is in the child's best interest.
Modified court hearing requirements and reporting deadlines to emphasize placing children with grandparents and relatives when available and in their best interest.
Removed provisions establishing abuse of judicial discretion for failing to order placement with relatives, shifting focus to best interest determinations rather than mandatory placement orders.
Corrected formatting errors and removed redundant or contradictory language throughout the statute, including fixing section numbering and clarifying references to family members.
