An Act to Amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by Adding Section 63-7-735 So as to Require the Department of Social Services to Inform a Relative with Whom a Child May Be Placed of the Opportunity to Be Licensed as a Foster Parent, Including the Licensure Process and Benefits of Being Licensed as a Foster Parent, and to Require the Court to Make Certain Findings Before Signing an Order Approving Placement of a Child with a Relative Who Is Not a Licensed Foster Parent; to Amend Section 63-7-650, Relating in Part to the Department Making an Interim Placement of a Child with a Relative Instead of Taking Custody of a Child, So as to Require the Department to Explain to the Relative About the Opportunity to Become Licensed as a Kinship Foster Parent If the Child Is Unable to Return Home; to Amend Section 63-7-2320, Relating to the Kinship Foster Program, So as to Allow the Department to Waive Certain Nonsafety Licensure Requirements When Licensing a Relative as a Foster Parent and to Indicate the Preference for Placing a Child with a Relative; to Amend Section 63-7-2330, Relating to Placement of a Child with a Relative as Part of a Removal Action, So as to Require the Department to Inform the Relative of the Opportunity to Be Licensed as a Foster Parent, Including the Licensure Process and Benefits of Being So Licensed; to Amend Section 63-7-2350, Relating to Restrictions on Foster Care Placements, So as to Clarify the Process the Department Must Follow to Determine Whether a Person Has Committed a Crime That Makes the Person Ineligible to Be a Foster Parent; to Amend Section 43-1-210, Relating to Department Reporting Requirements, So as to Require Reporting of Kinship Care Data; and to Amend Section 63-7-20, Relating to Terms Defined in the Children's Code, So as to Change the Definition of Child Abuse or Neglect to Include Child Trafficking in Certain Circumstances. - Ratified Title

It became law on Apr 9, 2018.

SC H 3701 · H · 2017-2018