As Introduced

129th General Assembly Regular Session 2011-2012

S. B. No. 162

Senator Kearney 

Cosponsors: Senators Turner, Smith, Sawyer 

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A BILL

To require the Department of Job and Family Services

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to conduct a feasibility study of current trends

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in the placement of children by public children

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services agencies into relative caregiver homes.

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BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. (A) The Department of Job and Family Services	5
shall conduct a feasibility study of current trends in the	6
placement of children by public children services agencies into	7
relative caregiver homes. The study shall focus on a continuum of	8
options, including informal relative placements, judicial transfer	9
of legal custody or guardianship to a relative caregiver and the	10
Kinship Permanency Incentive Program, use of approved relative	11
caregivers, relatives becoming certified foster caregivers, and	12
relatives as adoptive parents. The study shall include agency and	13
court practices; child outcomes addressing safety, stability and	14
permanency; and state and local cost implications of adding a	15
subsidized relative guardianship program in accordance with 42	16
U.S.C. 671(a)(28).	17

(B) The Department of Job and Family Services shall complete	18
the feasibility study by December 31, 2012, and shall submit the	19
completed report to the Governor and, in accordance with section	20
101.68 of the Revised Code, the General Assembly.	21