The Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics supports House Bill 194, the Foster Parents Bill of Rights of 2000. This bill grants and defines the rights of foster parents in terms of access to all pertinent information emanating from the caseworker, local departments of social services, and the courts concerning the assistance, guidance, treatment, or rehabilitation of a child.
Foster children have considerable health needs.
Additionally, foster children often have a myriad of mental health needs, which require special attention. To adequately address these mental and physical concerns, foster children need to be placed in a loving, supportive environment where they can receive personalized attention. By guaranteeing foster parents access to information about the children in their care, Senate Bill 307 will help to ensure that foster children receive the attention they deserve. The Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics supports the bill.