Assembly Bill No. 336–Assemblymen Dini, Parks, Giunchigliani, Ohrenschall, Manendo, Anderson, Arberry, Bache, Buckley, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Freeman, Goldwater, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Oceguera, Parnell, Perkins, Price, Smith and Williams

 

March 13, 2001

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Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

 

SUMMARY—Imposes certain duties on division of child and family services of department of human resources regarding persons who apply to receive placement of child for foster care or adoption. (BDR 38‑1186)

 

FISCAL NOTE:            Effect on Local Government: No.

                                    Effect on the State: Yes.

 

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

AN ACT relating to children; imposing certain duties on the division of child and family services of the department of human resources regarding persons who apply to receive the placement of a child for foster care or adoption; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

1-1    Section 1. Chapter 432 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

1-2  new section to read as follows:

1-3    When the division receives an application by a person to receive the

1-4  placement of a child for foster care or adoption, the division shall:

1-5    1.  Provide the applicant with accurate and detailed written

1-6  information regarding any subsidies, assistance and other services that

1-7  may be available to the applicant, including, without limitation, services

1-8  for children with special needs; and

1-9    2.  Ensure that:

1-10    (a) The employees of the division:

1-11      (1) Treat the applicant with courtesy, consideration, dignity, respect

1-12  and trust;

1-13      (2) Immediately schedule any evaluations necessary to identify any

1-14  special needs the child may have;

1-15      (3) Immediately notify the applicant of:

2-1         (I) Any concerns the division may have regarding the child; and

2-2         (II) The scheduled times, dates and locations of any conferences

2-3  and court hearings regarding the child;

2-4       (4) Consider the convenience of the applicant in determining the

2-5  location at which the division will administer any procedures or

2-6  proceedings relating to the application;

2-7       (5) Provide the applicant with routine briefings in a timely manner

2-8  regarding the status of all procedures and proceedings relating to the

2-9  application;

2-10      (6) Timely and effectively respond to any requests made by the

2-11  applicant for encouragement, support, or administrative or other

2-12  assistance regarding the child;

2-13      (7) Provide in a timely and accurate manner any financial

2-14  reimbursement for the care of the child to which the applicant may be

2-15  entitled from the division; and

2-16      (8) Arrange for the scheduling of appropriate visitations of the

2-17  child and the transportation of visitors;

2-18    (b) The applicant:

2-19      (1) Is allowed to participate actively in procedures and proceedings

2-20  in which any plans or decisions may be made regarding the child; and

2-21      (2) Has access to any physicians, therapists, teachers and other

2-22  professionals who work directly with the child; and

2-23    (c) Any procedures and proceedings relating to the application are

2-24  commenced and concluded in a timely and efficient manner.

2-25    Sec. 2.  NRS 432.027 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-26    432.027  [As] The division shall, as soon as practicable , but not later

2-27  than 60 days after the division receives an application by a person to

2-28  receive the placement of a child[, the division shall notify] for foster care

2-29  or adoption:

2-30    1.  Notify the person in writing as to whether the person will be

2-31  considered for approval as an adoptive parent or as a provider of foster care

2-32  [.] ; and

2-33    2.  Provide the person with a tentative written decision regarding the

2-34  approval or denial of the application.

2-35    Sec. 3.  NRS 432.032 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-36    432.032  The division shall adopt regulations for the administration of

2-37  NRS 432.010 to 432.085, inclusive, and section 1 of this act which are

2-38  binding upon all recipients and local units.

 

2-39  H