Policy News and Information for South Carolina's Children
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Bill on Kinship and Fictive Kin Care Set to Pass
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The Senate is likely to pass a bill expanding kinship and fictive kin care.
S.191
has received second reading in the Senate, but it was carried over, delaying the final third reading for passage.
The bill expands the definition of kinship care to include fictive kin, those with an emotionally significant relationship with child or the family. It also aims to provide funds and services for fictive kin and kinship care families ahead of completion of their licensing requirements.
For a personal look into the application of this bill
WSPA-TV in the Upstate
interviewed grandparents of children in foster care that would be positively affected.
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On the S.C. Legislative Radar
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Abuse and Neglect Definitions
S.79
remains on the Senate floor awaiting debate. The bill modifies abuse and neglect definitions in order to protect responsible parents who allow their children to engage independently in appropriate activities. The bill narrows those abuse and neglect definitions so parents will not be charged when children of sufficient age and maturity – whose basic needs are met – engage in independent activities.
Pay for Success Contracts
S.318
was passed by the Senate and is headed to the House, Ways and Means Committee. This bill establishes a new fund at the state level, administered by the state treasurer, for contracts with a private-sector organization to achieve specifically-defined measurable outcomes for a given population over a certain period. Nothing in current law forbids agencies from entering into such contracts now, and passage of the bill would not require all future contracts be run through the proposed fund.
Daniel's Law
In the House, lawmakers advanced
H.3294
with a favorable report to the floor for debate. The bill drastically expands the time allowed for parents to surrender a child under the
Daniel’s Law (or Safe Haven law).
The House Judiciary Committee discussed extending the law from 60 days to one year. This would allow any parent to relinquish a baby up to 365 days old to hospitals, emergency medical services, centers of worship, fire stations and law enforcement facilities. This bill aims to prevent these children from being abandoned at locations where they may come to harm.
DSS Agency Budget
As the House works towards its budget proposal in the next few weeks, it will not include extra money requested by the Department of Social Services (DSS). This money was sought for more caseworkers in order to lessen staff turnover. The House, as
noted in media reports
, has become frustrated with the lack of communication with DSS and the lack of demonstrable progress to lower caseloads. DSS remains without a director. Once the House passes its budget, it will move to the Senate for discussion.
Be There
- Tuesday, March 5: Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children, 9 a.m., Gressette Building, Room 207
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Prevent Child Abuse America Releases Policy Agenda
Prevent Child Abuse America is a national organization that advocates for policies and programs that can help prevent child abuse and neglect before it happens on both a national and state level. Children's Trust serves as the PCA affiliate for South Carolina.
PCA America has released its
2019 Public Policy Agenda
for federal laws. The main points include: reauthorize Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) while increasing funding for Title I and Title II; prioritize prevention policies to help families meet the basic needs of their children; increase support for the Maternal, Infant and Early Home Visiting Program (MIECHV); monitor the Family First Prevention Services Act to ensure implementation; and lastly, prioritize preventing child sexual abuse.
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Policy Post is published by Children's Trust of South Carolina.
Children’s Trust of South Carolina is the statewide organization focused on the prevention of child abuse and neglect. We provide funding, resources and training to help local program partners build strong families and positive childhoods. Children’s Trust leads the state’s coordinated efforts for the Strengthening Families Program; Triple P (Positive Parenting Program); S.C. Adverse Childhood Experiences Initiative; Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting; Child Abuse Prevention Month; Child Well-Being Coalition; and KIDS COUNT.
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