Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

When a child is taken from their home and into the custody of a county youth agency it can be a deeply traumatic experience. Research shows that living with relatives is better for children and benefits them in several ways including minimizing trauma, improving children’s well-being, improving behavioral and mental health outcomes, and preserving cultural identity and community connections.

That’s why I am introducing legislation to require that in child custody proceedings, courts solicit and consider the opinions of those who engaged with the family finding and kinship care programs before and during the proceedings. Currently, these people who support children at their most vulnerable have no right to share their opinion on what is best for the child. It is vital that the courts make child custody decisions with the best information available to them. By hearing from those who engage with family finding and kinship care, they will gain an important perspective. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to make family and kinship care provider voices heard.

Note: This is an update to the memo for HB288, which was circulated back in December. This memo reflects the bill after stakeholder feedback. If you signed on before, please sign on again.

Co-sponsors of HB288: HILL-EVANS, KINSEY, MADDEN, GUENST, SANCHEZ, RABB, FIEDLER, and WAXMAN.