5358491 Child and Family Services Agency - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Rights of Foster Children

CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES AGENCY

 

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

 

The Interim Director of the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), pursuant to Section 372 of the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Act of 1977 (Act), as amended, effective April 23, 2013 (D.C. Law 19-276; 60 DCR 2060 (February 22, 2013)) and Mayor’s Order 2013-145, dated August 8, 2013, hereby gives notice of his intent to adopt the following amendments to Chapters 60 (Foster Homes) of Title 29 (Public Welfare) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR), in not less than thirty (30) days from the date of publication of notice in the D.C. Register, and following approval of the rules by the D.C. Council.

 

The proposed amendments supplement the rights of foster children placed in foster homes that were finalized in the Notice of Final Rulemaking published in the D.C. Register on September 19, 2014 at 61 DCR 9579.  However, these amendments do not establish any additional private right of action beyond that which already exists under federal or District law. The implementation of specific rights and responsibilities shall be consistent with each foster child’s health, welfare, age, and level of development. 

 

Pursuant to the § 372(c) of the Act, the proposed rules will also be transmitted to the Council for approval of the rules by resolution within the forty-five (45) day review period.

 

Chapter 60, FOSTER HOMES, of Title 29 DCMR, PUBLIC WELFARE, is amended as follows:

 

Section 6004, RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FOSTER CHILDREN LIVING IN FOSTER HOMES, is amended as follows:

 

Section 6004.1 is amended by adding the following paragraphs:   

 

(qq)      To be integrated into household and family activities, consistent with his or her age and level of development.

 

(rr)       To have privileges and responsibilities that correspond with those provided to other children living in the foster home, consistent with his or her age and level of development.

 

 

All persons desiring to comment on the subject matter of this proposed rulemaking should file comments in writing within thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice in the D.C. Register. Comments should be filed with Lionel Sims, General Counsel, Child and Family Services Agency, 200 I Street, SE Washington, D.C. 20003, at [e-mail] or online at dcregs.dc.gov. Copies of these proposed rules may be obtained without charge at the address above or online at dcregs.dc.gov.