OR Rev Stat § 418.648 (2021)
2021 Oregon Revised Statutes|Volume : 11 - Juvenile Code, Human Services|Chapter 418 - Child Welfare Services|Section 418.648 - Rights of foster parents.

A foster parent has the right to: (1) Be treated with dignity, respect and trust as a member of a team, including respect for the family values and routines of the foster parent. (2) Be included as a valued member of a team that provides care and planning for a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent. (3) Receive support services, as resources permit, from the Department of Human Services that are designed to assist in the care of the foster child placed in the home of the foster parent. (4) Be informed of any condition that relates solely to a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent that may jeopardize the health or safety of the foster parent or other members of the home or alter the manner in which foster care should be provided to the foster child. The information shall include complete access to written reports, psychological evaluations and diagnoses that relate solely to a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent provided that confidential information given to a foster parent must be kept confidential by the foster parent, except as necessary to promote or to protect the health and welfare of the foster child and the community. (5) Have input into a permanency plan for a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent. (6) Receive assistance from the department in dealing with family loss and separation when the foster child leaves the home of the foster parent. (7) Be informed of all policies and procedures of the department that relate to the role of the foster parent. (8) Be informed of how to receive services and to have access to department personnel or service providers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (9) Initiate an inactive referral status for a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 12 months, to allow a foster parent relief from caring for foster children. (10) Not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability. (11) Be notified of the foster parent’s right to limited participation in proceedings in the juvenile court and provided with an explanation of that right. [2005 c.676 §1; 2007 c.100 §24; 2021 c.367 §21] Note: 418.648 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 418 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation. Note: Sections 4 and 5, chapter 19, Oregon Laws 2020 (first special session), provide: Sec. 4. (1) The Department of Human Services shall adopt rules allowing up to two programs that meet the following criteria to provide services to children in this state: (a) The services are provided in a family home setting. (b) The foster parents live in the house full time. (c) The foster parents are the primary care providers for the children served by the program. (d) The program serves no more than 15 children. (e) The program accepts children who have sexually maladaptive behaviors, a history of eloping from care or a history of unsuccessful placement in other settings. (2)(a) Notwithstanding ORS 419B.354 [renumbered 418.322] and section 19b, chapter 19, Oregon Laws 2020 (first special session) [418.318]: (A) The department may engage and make reasonable payment to the programs allowed under subsection (1) of this section; and (B) A program allowed under subsection (1) of this section is not required to be a qualified residential treatment program, as described in section 12b, chapter 19, Oregon Laws 2020 (first special session) [418.323]. (b) Notwithstanding section 14b, chapter 19, Oregon Laws 2020 (first special session) [419B.351], if a program allowed under subsection (1) of this section is a qualified residential treatment program, the department is not required to move the court for approval of its placement of a child in the program. (c) The department is not required to ensure that a child the department places in a program allowed under subsection (1) of this section is assessed by a qualified individual under section 13b, chapter 19, Oregon Laws 2020 (first special session) [418.324]. (3) No later than September 1, 2022, the department shall submit a report to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to child welfare regarding the success of placements in the programs allowed under subsection (1) of this section and recommendations, if any, for the continuation or expansion of placements consistent with this section. [2020 s.s.1 c.19 §4; 2021 c.387 §1] Sec. 5. Section 4 of this 2020 special session Act is repealed on January 2, 2024. [2020 s.s.1 c.19 §5]