Source: https://www.richmondsunlight.com/bill/2016/hb203/fulltext/
Timestamp: 2019-07-23 03:26:52
Document Index: 526569015

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 63', '§ 16', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 16', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 675', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 32', '§ 675', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 677', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 63', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 675']

HOUSE BILL NO. 203 Offered January 13, 2016 Prefiled December 28, 2015 A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 16.1-241 and 63.2-100, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 16.1-283.3 and by adding in Chapter 9 of Title 63.2 an article numbered 2, consisting of sections numbered 63.2-916 through 63.2-921, relating to extended foster care services and support.
1. That §§ 16.1-241 and 63.2-100, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 16.1-283.3 and by adding in Chapter 9 of Title 63.2 an article numbered 2, consisting of sections numbered 63.2-916 through 63.2-921, as follows:
Y. Petitions filed pursuant to § 16.1-283.3 for review of voluntary agreements for extended foster care services and support for persons who meet the eligibility criteria set forth in § 63.2-918.
§ 16.1-283.3. Review of voluntary agreements for extended foster care services and support.
A. A local department shall file a petition for review of a voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support entered into pursuant to § 63.2-920 with the juvenile and domestic relations district court for the county or city served by the local board that had custody of the program participant prior to his reaching 18 years of age within 30 days of the date on which the local board and the program participant entered into the signed, written agreement. The petition shall include documentation of the program participant's last foster care placement and the local department that had custody of the program participant at the time of such placement, a copy of the signed voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support and the case plan established pursuant to § 63.2-919, and any other information that the local department or program participant may wish the court to consider.
B. Upon receiving the petition filed by the local department, the court shall schedule a hearing to be held as soon as possible, but in no case more than 45 days after the filing of the petition, to determine whether the terms of such agreement are in the best interests of the program participant. The court shall appoint legal counsel for the program participant, who may be the guardian ad litem who represented the program participant when the program participant was a minor in the custody of the local board and who shall be compensated in accordance with § 16.1-267. The program participant may waive the appointment of counsel for the purposes of the hearing. The court may, with the consent of the program participant, reappoint or continue the appointment of the court-appointed special advocate who served the program participant when the program participant was a minor, or appoint another court-appointed special advocate if the previous court-appointed special advocate is unavailable.
The court shall provide notice of the hearing and a copy of the signed voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support, the case plan, and any other information included with the petition to the program participant, the program participant's legal counsel, the petitioning local department of social services, and such other persons having a legitimate interest in the hearing.
C. At the conclusion of the hearing, and following presentation of evidence by the local department of social services, the program participant, and the program participant's legal counsel or court-appointed special advocate, if appointed, the court may:
1. Approve the voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support and the case plan as presented;
2. Approve the voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support and the case plan with revisions, provided that such revisions are agreed to by both parties; or
3. Refuse to approve the voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support or the case plan and require the local department to submit a revised voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support or a revised case plan within 30 days. The court may require the local department to provide additional services or support, as authorized by law, in the revised plan.
D. The court may schedule a subsequent review hearing, not later than six months after the initial hearing at which the initial voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support and case plan were approved, to review the program participant's progress and the provision of services and support by the local department. If judicial review is continued, review hearings shall be held every six months unless otherwise ordered by the court.
§ 63.2-100. (Effective until July 1, 2016) Definitions.
"Child" means (i) any natural person under 18 years of age and (ii) for the purposes of extended foster care services and support pursuant to Article 2 (§ 63.2-916 et seq.) of Chapter 9, any natural person who has reached the age of 18 years but has not reached the age of 21 years.
§ 63.2-100. (Effective July 1, 2016) Definitions.
Article 2. Extended Foster Care Services and Support.
§ 63.2-916. Definitions.
"Case plan" means the plan developed by the local department for every participant in the Program in accordance with the requirements of 42 U.S.C. § 675(1).
"Extended foster care services and support" means the services and support available in the Program to eligible individuals pursuant to this article.
"Local department" means the local department of social services of the county or city represented by the local board of social services having custody and care of a child when he reached the age of 18 years.
"Program" means the Extended Foster Care Services and Support Program.
"Program participant" means a person described in § 63.2-918.
"Supervised independent living setting" means housing that has been approved by the local department as appropriate for the program participant and consistent with federal guidelines on supervised settings in which program participants may reside independently. "Supervised independent living setting" may include a college dormitory, apartment, housing shared with a family member or spouse, or other appropriate housing option. "Supervised independent living setting" does not mean a residential facility or group home.
"Voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support" means a binding written agreement between a local department and a program participant entered into in accordance with the provisions of § 63.2-920.
§ 63.2-917. Extended Foster Care Services and Support Program established; program services.
Any person who meets the criteria set forth in § 63.2-918 shall be eligible for extended foster care services and support though the Extended Foster Care Services and Support Program pursuant to this article. Such services and support shall be designed to assist the program participant in transitioning to adulthood, becoming self-sufficient, and creating permanent positive relationships. Participation in the Program shall be voluntary. The Program shall at all times recognize and respect the autonomy of the program participant. Nothing in this article shall be construed to abrogate any other rights that a person who has reached the age of 18 years may have in accordance with any existing law.
§ 63.2-918. Eligibility.
A. A person shall be eligible to participate in the Program if he:
1. Has reached the age of 18 years but has not yet reached the age of 21 years;
2. Was in the custody of a local board of social services (i) prior to attaining the age of 18 years, remained in foster care upon reaching the age of 18 years and was in the custody of the local board as a result of (a) a court order finding that he was an abused or neglected child, a child at risk of abuse or neglect, a child in need of services, or a child in need of supervision; (b) a court order approving an entrustment agreement; (c) a placement agreement between the local board and his parent or guardian; (d) a petition for relief of custody; or (e) a court order finding that the child was delinquent or had committed a status offense or (ii) immediately prior to his commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice and is transitioning from commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice to self-sufficiency;
3. Is (i) completing secondary education or an equivalent credential; (ii) enrolled in an institution that provides postsecondary or vocational education; (iii) employed for at least 80 hours per month; (iv) participating in a program or activity designed to promote employment or remove barriers to employment; or (v) incapable of participating in any of the activities described in clauses (i) through (iv) due to a medical condition, the existence of which is supported by regularly updated information in the case plan of the program participant;
4. Resides in the Commonwealth or in a state that shares a border with the Commonwealth; and
5. Has entered into a voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support pursuant to § 63.2-620.
§ 63.2-919. Extended foster care services and support.
A. Individuals participating in the Program shall be eligible for the following program services and support:
1. Medical assistance services provided in accordance with the state plan for medical assistance pursuant to § 32.1-325;
2. Foster care maintenance payments in an amount that shall not be less than the amount of foster care maintenance paid on behalf of the program participant immediately prior to his exiting foster care; and
3. Case management services.
B. A person participating in the Program may choose to reside (i) in a foster family home or (ii) in a supervised independent living setting. In cases in which the program participant chooses to reside in a foster family home, foster care maintenance payments paid pursuant to subdivision A 2 shall be paid to the foster parents. If the program participant chooses to reside in a supervised independent living setting, foster care maintenance payments paid pursuant to subdivision A 2 may be paid directly to the program participant.
C. The local department shall designate a case worker who shall provide case management services for each program participant. Case workers assigned to program participants pursuant to this subsection shall be trained regarding the provision of extended foster care services and support, including transition support, and shall have knowledge of the various resources available to the program participant in the local community.
D. The local department shall, jointly with the program participant, develop a case plan for every program participant. Such plan shall describe (i) the identified housing situation or living arrangement for the program participant; (ii) the resources available to assist the program participant in the transition from the Program to adulthood and independence; (iii) the specific services and support, including any foster care maintenance payments, that will be provided to the program participant to meet his individual needs; and (iv) continuing efforts to be undertaken by the local department to achieve permanency and create permanent connections for the program participant. The local departments shall fulfill all case plan obligations consistent with the applicable provisions of 42 U.S.C. § 675a for all program participants. Services and support identified in the case plan shall be initiated within 30 days of the program participant's becoming eligible for services in accordance with § 63.2-918.
§ 63.2-920. Voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support.
A. The local department shall enter into a voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support with a program participant prior to initiating program services and support. Such agreement shall be made in writing and signed by a representative of the local department and the program participant and shall include:
1. A requirement that the program participant continue to meet the eligibility criteria set forth in § 63.2-918 while enrolled in the Program and a statement that extended foster care services and support shall be terminated if the individual fails to continue to meet the requirements for eligibility;
2. A statement of the specific services and support, including the amount of any foster care maintenance payments made to or on behalf of the program participant in accordance with subsection B of § 63.2-919, to be provided to the program participant;
3. A statement that participation in the Program is voluntary for the program participant and that the program participant may terminate services provided through the Program at any time;
4. A statement of specific conditions that may result in the program participant becoming ineligible for participation in the Program and termination of the voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support; and
5. A statement that the program participant may appeal the denial or delay of any service identified in the case plan established pursuant to subsection D of § 63.2-919.
B. A program participant may terminate the voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support and cease receiving services and support pursuant to such agreement at any time. Upon such termination, the local department shall provide the program participant with written notice informing the program participant of the consequences of terminating the agreement, his right to reenter the Program at any time prior to his reaching the age of 21 years if he continues to meet the eligibility criteria set forth in § 63.2-918, and the procedures for reentering the Program.
C. The local department shall terminate the voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support and all services and support provided pursuant to the agreement if the local department determines that the program participant no longer meets the eligibility criteria set forth in § 63.2-918. Upon determining that a program participant is no longer eligible, the local department shall provide written notice to the program participant stating that the voluntary agreement and all services and support provided pursuant thereto will be terminated 30 days after the date of the notice. Such notice shall state the basis for the termination of the voluntary agreement and services and support provided pursuant thereto and shall include information about the program participant's right to enter into another voluntary agreement with the local department at such time as he meets the eligibility criteria set forth in § 63.2-918. Such notice shall also include information about and contact information for community resources that may benefit the program participant, specifically information regarding state programs established pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 677.
D. A program participant shall not be found to be out of compliance with eligibility requirements set forth in § 63.2-918 during a period that is an academic break in postsecondary education, a period of transition between education and employment, or a transition between employment opportunities, provided that such period is not longer than 30 days.
E. A program participant may appeal the termination of a voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support provided pursuant to the voluntary agreement by a local department. Such appeals shall be made in accordance with § 63.2-915 and regulations of the Board.
§ 63.2-921. Review of voluntary agreements.
A. A local department that enters into a voluntary agreement for extended foster care services and support pursuant to § 63.2-920 shall file a petition for review of the agreement in accordance with § 16.1-283.3 with the juvenile and domestic relations district court having jurisdiction over the program participant's foster care case when the program participant was in the custody of the local board.
B. The local department shall conduct regular reviews of the case at least once every six months after the completion of the review pursuant to § 16.1-283.3 and at such other times as may be requested by the program participant, the local agency, or any other party to the proceeding and shall ensure that the program participant is receiving the necessary services and support to facilitate his transition to permanency and self-sufficiency. In conducting such reviews, the local department shall consult with the program participant in an age-appropriate manner regarding the proposed case plan, shall ensure that the program participant has a clear self-advocacy role in the process and is actively engaged in key decisions regarding the services and support, and shall comply with procedural requirements set forth in 42 U.S.C § 675(5)(C).
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