Senators passed a bill May 21 intended to remove obstacles to foster care placement.<\/p>\n
LB265, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Colby Coash, exempts kinship and relative homes from the state\u2019s foster home licensure requirement.<\/p>\n
A kinship home is defined in the bill as one in which a primary caretaker previously has lived with or has a pre-existing, significant relationship with the child being placed. Approval is required prior to placement in a nonlicensed relative or kinship home.<\/p>\n
Under the bill, kinship and relative homes will be subject to criminal background checks of all adult residents and a home visit to ensure adequate housing. In addition, the bill allows the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to issue a waiver for any nonsafety licensing standard for a kinship or relative home seeking licensure.<\/p>\n
The bill also includes provisions of LB443, originally introduced by Omaha Sen. Tanya Cook, which requires a residential child care agency or placement agency to obtain licensure from DHHS before opening.<\/p>\n
An applicant may apply for a provisional license, valid for up to one year, if they substantially comply with requirements for licensure.<\/p>\n
The bill also establishes a process for determining noncompliance and grievance procedures with regard to licensure. The department may impose various types of punishment including fines, probation, restrictions on new admission, suspension or revocation of a license.<\/p>\n
LB265 passed on a 48\u20130 vote and takes effect immediately<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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