A bill for an act relating to the delegation of custodial rights and duties with respect to a child.

SF 554 allows the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to delegate certain custodial rights and duties to licensed foster care providers when HHS has legal custody of a child. These delegated responsibilities can include providing basic needs and consenting to emergency medical care. The bill clarifies that HHS can consent to routine medical care (excluding vaccinations) and individualized education programs for children, even if parents retain some residual rights. HHS is required to notify both the licensed provider and the child's parents or guardians if these specific rights for medical care or individualized education program participation are delegated. Additionally, HHS must notify the Department of Education when consent for an individualized education program is delegated to a licensee.