Court Opinion

ID: 9697221
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 19:08:56.083305+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:30.013626
License: Public Domain

BECK, Judge,
concurring:
While I agree with the majority’s conclusion, I write separately to emphasize the important role of state regulations in this area of the law which grant foster parents the right to appeal the relocation of a foster child.
The Foster Family Care Agency regulations provide, inter alia:
§ 3700.73 Foster parent appeal of child relocation.
(a) Foster parents may appeal the relocation of a child from a foster family home except under the following conditions:
(1) the child has been with the foster family less than six months;
(2) the removal is initiated by the court;
(3) the removal is to return the child to his parents;
(4) the removal is to place the child for adoption; or
(5) an investigation of a report of alleged child abuse indicates the need for protective custody removal to protect the child from further serious physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, or serious physical neglect as defined in Chapter 3490 (relating to child protective services — child abuse).
(b) The FFCA shall inform foster parents in writing that they may appeal the relocation of a child in accordance with subsection (a) at least 15 days prior to the relocation of the child.
(c) Foster parents who wish to appeal the relocation of a child must submit to the FFCA a written appeal to *568be postmarked no later than 15 days after the date of the notice of their right to appeal the child’s relocation.
55 Pa.Code § 3700.73 (emphasis added).
Although appellants clearly had a right to appeal the relocation of the child, they apparently did not exercise it. Appellants claimed in the court below that appellee Fayette County Children and Youth Services failed to notify them of the planned relocation in accordance with the provisions of Section 3700.73(b). (Record at 16a). Nonetheless, appellants did not raise the issue of compliance with Section 3700.73 for our review and consequently we may not address it. See Pa.R.A.P. 2116(a); Commonwealth v. Gray, 339 Pa.Super. 385, 391 n. 3, 489 A.2d 213, 216 n. 3 (1985).
While consideration of the provisions of Section 3700 does not affect the result reached by the majority, I believe it is important to recognize the authority of the state regulations and the protections they afford foster parents.