Bill > SB996

This bill, known as Kanaiyah's Law, establishes a Guardianship Assistance Program and a State Foster Youth Ombudsman. The Guardianship Assistance Program, administered by the Secretary of Human Services, provides financial and medical aid to guardians of minor children to help them maintain permanent guardianship. To be eligible, a guardian must be appointed under specific legal provisions, the child must have been in foster care with the guardian for at least six months prior to appointment, and a voluntary agreement for assistance must be in place. This assistance can continue for individuals over 18 if they are pursuing education, employed, in a job training program, or incapable of working due to a disability, but will terminate by age 21. The bill also mandates that local departments of social services annually review guardianships and can terminate assistance if an adult residing in the guardian's home has a criminal record involving violence against a child or is required to register with a supervising authority. Furthermore, the bill creates the position of State Foster Youth Ombudsman within the Department of Human Services, who will be an attorney with child welfare experience appointed by the Secretary. This Ombudsman will provide legal expertise, act as a neutral voice to resolve disputes between youth, caregivers, and the department, investigate complaints from youth in out-of-home care, and advocate for their rights and needs. The bill also prohibits the Social Services Administration from placing children in unlicensed settings, which are defined to exclude certain placements like hotels or short-term rentals, but include settings like shelters for runaway or homeless youth. Finally, the bill requires juvenile courts to include in guardianship orders a directive for the guardian to report any adult residing in the home who has not undergone a criminal records check, and local departments must review these situations.